Losing streak reaches 11 as McCully’s 30 not enough for Redhawks against USI

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — In the second of three road games in a six-day span, Southeast Missouri State women’s basketball dropped its 11th consecutive matchup in a Saturday night loss at Southern Indiana, losing 67-56 and making it 37 days since its last victory.

Separated by a double-digit lead for most of the matchup, the hosting Screaming Eagles built up their first 10-point lead early in the second quarter and held the Redhawks off the rest of the way.

A competitive third quarter from SEMO cut the lead down to seven points on numerous occasions, but a late rally from USI helped it mount a 14-point edge going into the fourth. The Screaming Eagles never relinquished that lead in the final 10 minutes.

Lexi McCully led the way for SEMO, scoring 30 points, knocking down five 3-pointers in the process. No other Redhawk reached double figures.

Vanessa Shafford’s 24 points and nine rebounds led Southern Indiana with Meredith Raley chipping in with 15.

The Screaming Eagles only mustered up a 41% clip from the field, but that mark was still higher than SEMO, which shot 32%.

The win improves USI to 9-5 in conference play, 17-8 overall, while Southeast Missouri’s losing streak continues. The Redhawks are 4-19 for the season and tied with SIU Edwardsville for last place in the OVC at 2-12. The

In dire straits of missing a second consecutive OVC Tournament after another flat year in 2024, the Redhawks’ clinching hopes continue to get worse by the day.

The Redhawks return to action at 5 p.m. Tuesday, as they take on Little Rock (12-11, 10-4) in a midweek road tilt.