Southeast women even OVC record with second-half rally

Monday's contest was a real struggle for the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team, which trailed most of the way.

But the Redhawks found a way to squeeze out a 56-53 victory over Jacksonville State that allowed them to sweep their two-game Ohio Valley Conference homestand.

"We started out really sluggish. We didn't have a lot of energy coming out," sophomore point guard Bianca Beck said. "But we did a good job coming back. We just persevered. We just didn't want to lose."

Southeast improved to 5-8 overall and evened its OVC record at 2-2.

"It's good to get to .500 in the conference," freshman wing Katie Norman said.

Redhawks freshman Patricia Mack scores two points against Jacksonville State on Monday evening at the Show Me Center. (Kit Doyle)

The Gamecocks (3-10 overall, 0-3 OVC) limped into Cape Girardeau, coming off Saturday's 85-48 loss at Eastern Illinois. They also were without one of their top players, senior forward Jolie Efezohkae, who was sick.

But JSU controlled much of the game, leading 31-19 late in the first half and 31-26 at halftime.

JSU still led 44-35 with under 12 minutes left, and Southeast didn't take its first lead until more than 32 minutes had been played.

"I don't know what it was. We just didn't have much energy coming out," freshman forward Bailie Roberts said. "We were lucky we didn't get too far behind."

Southeast was entering off a 61-56 win against Tennessee Tech, but didn't capitalize on the momentum early.

"You have to give them [JSU] credit," Southeast coach John Ishee said. "They have some athletic kids who can do some things. We didn't play with the type of intensity to start the game that we did Saturday.

"It was very good to pull one out. It showed a really good sign of character in that they fought through some adversity."

After Southeast pushed ahead for the first time at 49-47 with just over seven minutes left, the Redhawks went scoreless for nearly five minutes as JSU regained a 51-49 lead.

Norman drove for a layup with 2:07 remaining to make it 51-51.

After a JSU miss, Norman found Roberts in the corner for a wide-open 3-pointer that she buried with 1:30 left. The Redhawks had a 54-51 lead that they never relinquished.

"She showed a lot for a true freshman. She knocked down a big shot," Ishee said of Roberts.

After JSU made it 54-53, Beck hit two free throws with 22 seconds left. The Gamecocks were way off on a 3-point attempt just before the buzzer as the Redhawks escaped with the victory.

"I think we lacked a lot of energy the first half, but we stuck with it," Norman said. "We got stops when we needed."

Roberts led Southeast with 13 points as she hit 5 of 6 field goals, including all three of her 3-point attempts.

"I took smart shots I guess," Roberts said.

Freshman guard Jasmine Davis added 10 points, five rebounds and two steals, but she suffered a knee injury in the final minute and had to be carried off the court.

Ishee said Davis will have an MRI. Davis leads Southeast in scoring with a 10-point average and is the OVC's top free-throw shooter at 87.7 percent.

Freshman forward Patricia Mack had her second straight strong game with nine points and 12 rebounds. She compiled her first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds Saturday.

"She's going to be a real good player," Ishee said.

Norman had a solid performance with seven points, three assists and two steals.

"She's a very competitive kid. She has good instincts," Ishee said.

Beck added seven points and five assists.

Southeast, averaging more than 21 turnovers, had only 15, including just five in the second half.

"Fifteen is good for us," Norman said.

Just as the homestand was good for Southeast, which now faces three straight OVC road games beginning Saturday at Eastern Illinois.

"We held serve at home. We did what we had to do," Ishee said.