Redhawks show dominance in exhibition games

The women's basketball team beat Rockhurst 78-51 on Saturday, and Lindenwood-Belleville 82-50 on Tuesday evening to sweep both exhibition games.

Sophomore forward Tesia Thompson led a balanced performance for the Redhawks against Lindenwood-Belleville with 15 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Thompson was followed by freshman guard Taelour Pruitt with 13 points, senior guard Adrianna Murphy with 11 points and freshman guard Sarah Balfour chipped in 10 points overall and went 2-of-5 from behind the arc.

“One of the biggest changes from year one to year two for Tesia [Thompson] is her leadership maturity,” Southeast coach Rekha Patterson said.” She understands that this team needs her to be a leader and they look to her. She has done a really good job with being the standard and setting the tone in the locker room and on the court.”

The Redhawks got the first bucket of the game by Thompson which came off a turnover by the Lynx. Southeast kept the lead the entire game. The Redhawks went on an 18-0 run from the 2:27 mark in the first quarter until the 2:48 mark in the second quarter in the game.

Going into halftime, the Redhawks led the Lynx 43-23. The Lynx come no closer than 19 points in the second half.

The Redhawks were able to play everyone that dressed in uniform Tuesday evening, including redshirt-senior guard Carrie Sheppard. She was able to see her first action in a Redhawks uniform after sitting out all of last year with a knee injury.

Thompson led the Redhawks to victory against Rockhurst on Saturday with her 26 points, seven rebounds and two steals. With her first basket of the night she eclipsed the 400-point mark for her career.

Adrianna Murphy chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds and three steals. The Redhawks out-rebounded Rockhurst 42-37 and forced 25 turnovers in the game.

“Very pleased to come out and get two wins, that's always a good thing,” Patterson said. “Felt like there was some improvements from game one to game two as far as our defensive intensity to start. There is still some areas we have to improve on, but that is everybody at this point in the season. We look forward to growing as a team.”

The Redhawks will next be in action against national runner-up Mississippi State on Nov. 6 to kick off the regular season.