Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team debuts with 66-29 road loss to N.C.-State

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team suffered a lopsided loss in its season opener, but first-year coach Ty Margenthaler was not discouraged after his debut.

Margenthaler said he saw positives during Friday's 66-29 defeat at North Carolina State of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I thought for the first 25, 28 minutes we really competed with them," said Margenthaler. "We just couldn't put the ball in the hole. If we can continue to create good shots they'll fall.

"I really believe in these girls. Our kids are going to continue to work hard."

Offense was a sore spot for the Redhawks last year, and Friday was no different. Southeast shot 19.6 percent from the field (10 of 51) and made just 1 of 17 3-pointers (5.9 percent).

The Redhawks were still able to stick with the Wolfpack much of the first half despite falling behind 10-1.

Southeast trailed 12-8 at the midway point and the Redhawks were down by four points with under eight minutes left. It was 30-16 at halftime.

Southeast scored the first basket of the second half, but N.C. State answered with a 16-0 run to open a 46-18 advantage and the rout was on. The Wolfpack outscored the Redhawks 36-13 during the final period.

"The second half we didn't have the same kind of energy," Margenthaler said. "N.C. State got a lot of second and third opportunities in the second half. I told the players that I was pleased when we got them in a half-court game defensively. We weren't giving up the paint and they were shooting contested shots from the perimeter."

Senior guard Bianca Beck, junior forward Brittany Harriel and junior forward Bailie Roberts scored six points apiece to lead Southeast. Beck had three steals, five rebounds and two blocks.

Junior center Courtney Shiffer grabbed seven rebounds and added five points.

N.C. State sot 40.3 percent (25 of 62) and outrebounded Southeast 56-34. The Redhawks had 24 turnovers compared to 15 for the Wolfpack.

"They have a lot of size and athleticism," Margenthaler said. "We knew what we were up against."

The Redhawks started four returning players along with true freshman guard Yelena Rosado, who had four points.

Margenthaler said he was happy that Rosado and Southeast's other true freshman scholarship player, guard Allyson Bradshaw from Notre Dame Regional High School, logged significant minutes.

"It's good to get them experience in the first game," Margenthaler said. "She [Rosado] got to the basket well."

Both squads were shorthanded due to injuries. N.C. State played without senior forward Bonae Holston, a second-team all-ACC performer last season

Southeast junior guard Katie Norman remains sidelined indefinitely with back problems, while redshirt freshman forward Brooke Taylor will miss a few games after suffering a knee injury during practice.

The Redhawks visit Saint Louis University today for a 2:30 p.m. tipoff.

Saint Louis also lost its opener, 63-60 at Memphis Friday. The Billikens went 7-22 last year, including 1-13 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.