Redhawks Fall to the Lindenwood Lions despite Zoe Best's scoring surge

The Southeast Missouri State University women’s basketball team lost in their final home game of the season to the Lindenwood Lions by a score of 70-47

The Redhawks entered the game coming off of a big home win against Western Illinois University earlier in the week.

In their last matchup the Redhawks fell to the Lions by a score of 84-76 at Hyland Arena.

To start the game senior guard Lexi McCully drilled a three-pointer to give the Redhawks momentum early on.

The Lions would respond by forcing six turnovers in the first quarter alone and build a 19-8 lead going into the second.

To start the second quarter both teams came out trading baskets with Lindenwood barely out scoring SEMO to push their lead to 15.

However, after a pair of free throws from senior guard Skylar Barnes the Redhawks would go on a 9-0 run fueled by their intense full court press defense and the paint scoring of freshman center Ainaya Williams.

This momentum would be short lived as the Redhawks went on a four and a half minute scoring drought to end the quarter accompanied by a nine point scoring run by the Lions.

Going into the half the Redhawks trailed by a score of 37-21.

In the second half the Redhawks came out strong going on a 5-0 run started by a nice layup from McCully.

Freshman guard Zoe Best came out of the half on fire making the teams next four baskets to help the Redhawks close the gap to just 11. Best finished as the games leading scorer and had this to say about her hot start to the second half.

“The third quarter is one of the most important times to try and make that run and try to dig out of that hole,” Best said. “And tonight it just means so much more with the seniors. I knew how much it meant to them, I knew if I was in their position I would want somebody to and really give it their all for me so that’s what I tried to do for the seniors.”

Unfortunately for the Redhawks it would be all Lindenwood for the rest of the quarter as the Lions would take control offensively and build their lead, dominating in the paint and shutting down the SEMO offense.

Heading into the final quarter SEMO was down 55-35.

In the 4th it was more of the same from the Lions as they continued to dominate offensively. The Lions strong defense would hold SEMO scoreless for four minutes for the second time in the game making it difficult for a Redhawks comeback.

The Redhawks would finish the game strong hitting a couple big shots to try and shorten the deficit, but in the end the Lions would walk away victorious winning by a final score of 70-47

After the game senior guard Lexi McCully reflected on her collegiate career with a lot of gratitude for coach Palmer

“We could have not won a single game here and I would redo it 100 times for BP.I always used to say I wish I had somebody to go through college with, but the whole time it’s really been my coach.” McCully said. “You just don’t come around a lot of people who believe in you.”

Palmer coached McCully for three years with one being here at SEMO and two being at Mineral Area College.

With only a few games left on the schedule the Redhawks are looking to finish strong despite their last place ranking.

The Redhawks will be back in action on the road against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Thursday, Feb. 27.