TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - A stout defensive effort led the Indiana State women's basketball team to a 72-28 victory over Southeast Missouri State in front of 2,980 fans at Hulman Center on Tuesday night. With the win, the Sycamores improved to 4-0 on the season and 5-0 all-time in the series with the Redhawks.
SEMO, which dropped to 2-2 on the year, was held to just 19 percent shooting. Its 28 points was the team's lowest point total since 1976 and its worst loss since 1982. At the half, the Redhawks had amassed 10 points, which was their lowest first-half total since moving up to NCAA Division I competition in 1991-92.
For its part, Indiana State outrebounded SEMO 47-28, highlighted by eight boards from sophomore Shannon Thomas, who also had 13 points and a steal on the night. Senior Kelsey Luna finished with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, while sophomore Brittany Schoen also reached double digits with 10 points. The Sycamores have had at least three players in double-digit scoring in each of their last four games.
"Tonight was one of the best defensive efforts that we've had," Head Coach Jim Wiedie said. "We had one day of prep time, and Coach (Melanie) Boeglin put in a game plan that took some elements from last year's game that we thought we could take advantage of. Part of the goal was to put pressure on SEMO, and our kids did a fantastic job of executing."
Indiana State opened the game with a 4-0 lead on two layups from Thomas, but the Redhawks battled back to a 7-6 score off successive baskets from Lesley Adams, Jasmine Davis and Bianca Beck. Luna then hit her first of three 3-pointers to put ISU up 10-6, and the Redhawks were held scoreless until just under the eight-minute mark when Lauren Sharpe hit a free throw at 18-7. After a pair of free throws from Thomas, Luna hit another trey to make it 23-7.
Sharpe had two more charity shots, but a layup by Thomas tripled the lead, and freshman Moriah Hodge scored twice in a span of 18 seconds to extend it to 31-9. Two pairs of free throws from Luna and sophomore Deja Mattox pushed it to 35-9, and a layup by Schoen at the buzzer sent ISU into the locker room with a 37-10 advantage.
Junior Kelsie Cooley opened the second half with a layup, followed by Luna's third 3-pointer and two free throws from the senior to make it 42-10. Senior Sarah Paul added her first points of the season on a trey at (48-18). Luna and Thomas chipped in a two-point shot apiece, and Cooley contributed a layup at for a 54-22 score.
While holding SEMO to four points over nearly five minutes, sophomore Amanda Pedro added a pair of free throws, and Paul hit another free throw shot. Megan Burton, in her first game action of the year, poured in a jumper with 35 seconds to go to close the game at a final 72-28.
SEMO was led by Erika Lane, who had seven points and three rebounds, while Patricia Mack was the Redhawks' leading rebounder with six boards.
Indiana State returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 29 with Central Michigan. Tipoff is set for 2:05 p.m. at Hulman Center.
