Southeast Defeats Martin Methodist In Battle of the Redhawks :: Six players score in double figures as the Southeast Redhawks capture a 93-53 home decision

Six players score in double figures as the Southeast Redhawks capture a 93-53 home decision

Dec. 28, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State women's basketball had six players score in double figures as it posted a 93-53 victory over visiting Martin Methodist in its final non-conference home game of the season this afternoon at the Show Me Center. The Southeast Redhawks, who have won their last five games, improve to 8-4 on the year, while the Redhawks fall to 9-3.

Southeast captured an early 8-0 lead just two minutes into the game with six points coming from junior forward Missy Whitney (Charleston, Mo./Three Rivers CC), but Martin Methodist tallied six consecutive points less than three minutes later to close within two at 8-6. Southeast then scored 23 of the next 35 points over a nine-plus minute stretch to increase its advantage to 31-18 on a pair of free throws from sophomore forward Rachel Blunt (Dexter, Mo./Dexter). A 10-4 run later helped the home team close out the half and enter the break with a 41-22 lead.

The home team opened the second half with a quick 10-4 run to increase its leading margin to 51-24 on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Tarina Nixon (Gilbert, Ariz/Highland) at the 16:25 mark, but Martin Methodist would later closed within 28 points (68-40) on a pair of junior Lorraine Sutton free throws with 9:28 remaining. A 7-0 Southeast scoring run just a minute later, highlighted by five points from sophomore guard Heather Diebold (Branson, Mo./Branson), helped hike its lead back to 75-40. Martin Methodist would get no closer the rest of the way.

Whitney posted a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Southeast. Senior center Lachelle Lyles (Chicago, Ill./Shelton State CC) tallied a game-high 23 rebounds with eight points and three blocked shots, while senior center Joiceline Thesing (Sao Carlos, Brazil/Labette CC) added 13 points. Diebold had a career day as she scored 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field to go along with four rebounds and two assists. Nixon and junior guard Ashley Lovelady (Elkhart, Ind./Moberly Area CC) also contributed 12 points, and Blunt finished with 10 points.

Sutton scored 16 points and had a game-high nine steals to lead Martin Methodist. Junior Shontel Johnson, MMC's leading scorer entering the game, added 10 points and four rebounds.

Southeast returns to Ohio Valley Conference play on Jan. 2 when it battles Eastern Kentucky on the road with a start time of 4:30 p.m.