CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Interstat) — The Lindenwood Lions used a dominant fourth quarter to defeat the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 78-66 in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Show Me Center. Trailing by two points entering the final period, the Lions erupted for 30 points to pull away for the victory. The Redhawks were held to 13 points in each of the first three quarters before scoring 27 in the fourth. Lindenwood improved to 13-5 overall, while Southeast Missouri State fell to 5-11. An announced crowd of 985 attended.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Interstat) — A dominant fourth-quarter surge propelled the Lindenwood Lions to a 78-66 victory over the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at the Show Me Center. The Lions, who entered the final period with a slim five-point lead, erupted for 30 points in the fourth quarter to pull away decisively. The offensive explosion was a stark contrast to the game’s first three quarters, which were defined by tight, often sloppy play. Lindenwood improved to 13-5 overall, while Southeast Missouri State fell to 5-11. The game’s most critical sequence came midway through the final period. Leading 52-50 with just over five minutes remaining, Lindenwood unleashed a decisive 12-2 run that effectively sealed the outcome. The burst was fueled by the Lions’ two leading scorers, Aleshia Jones and Brooke Coffey. Jones, a 5-foot-7 guard from Leavenworth, Kansas, drilled a crucial 3-pointer to ignite the run, and Coffey followed with a driving layup. After a Southeast Missouri State basket, Jones connected on another 3-pointer, and Coffey capped the run with a second layup, extending the lead to 64-52 with 3:25 to play. The Redhawks could not mount a response, never closing the gap to single digits again. Jones finished with a game-high 24 points, while Coffey, a 6-1 forward from St. Charles, Missouri, added 16 points and five assists. Mya Skoff of Bellevue, Nebraska, orchestrated the offense with 13 points and six assists in 37 minutes. For Southeast Missouri State, Madison Ayers of Annapolis, Missouri, led the way with 16 points, and Carmen Taylor of Memphis, Tennessee, contributed 12 points and four assists. Raissa Nsabua of Ottawa, Canada, dished out eight assists but was held to six points. The contest began as a defensive struggle, with Lindenwood taking a 17-13 lead after a first quarter that featured eight combined turnovers. The pattern of gritty, low-scoring basketball continued through the second and third quarters. Each team scored exactly 13 points in the second period, sending Lindenwood into halftime with a 30-26 advantage. Remarkably, Southeast Missouri State matched that output again in the third quarter, scoring another 13 points, but Lindenwood managed to slightly extend its lead to 48-43 heading into the final 10 minutes by scoring 18. The Redhawks stayed within striking distance for much of the night thanks to their defense and Lindenwood’s occasional carelessness with the ball. The Lions committed 18 turnovers, which Southeast Missouri State converted into 18 points. However, the Lions’ offensive firepower, particularly from Jones and Coffey in the clutch, proved too much to overcome. Lindenwood also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Redhawks 42-34, with 15 offensive rebounds leading to 19 second-chance points. The victory extends Lindenwood’s strong start to conference play, while Southeast Missouri State continues to search for consistency. The game was played before an announced crowd of 985. Lindenwood will travel to face Tennessee-Martin on Saturday. Southeast Missouri State will host SIU Edwardsville, also on Saturday. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Lindenwood was projected with a 90.40 percent probability to win the contest.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Interstat) — A surging Lindenwood women’s basketball team looks to continue its strong Ohio Valley Conference start when it visits struggling Southeast Missouri State on Thursday night at the Show Me Center. The Lions (12-5 overall) enter on a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 71-43 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock last Saturday. The Redhawks (5-10) have lost three straight, most recently a 65-59 defeat at Morehead State. Lindenwood has been powered by forward Aleshia Jones, who is coming off a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double against Little Rock. Over her last seven games, Jones is averaging 10.4 points and 4.1 rebounds. Her interior presence will be key against a SEMO defense that has allowed 65.8 points per game. The Redhawks will counter with forward Kearra Jones, who recorded an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in the loss to Morehead State. She is averaging 9.0 points and 4.6 rebounds over the same seven-game span. Her performance on the glass will be critical against a physical Lindenwood frontcourt. The Lions have found success with balanced scoring and stout defense during their streak, holding opponents to an average of 57.7 points. Mya Skoff and Brooke Coffey provided key support in the latest win. Southeast Missouri State, led by Carmen Taylor and Raissa Nsabua, has struggled offensively in conference play, failing to reach 60 points in three of its last four contests. This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will meet again in St. Charles, Missouri, on Feb. 14. Thursday’s tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CST. Lindenwood visits Tennessee-Martin on Saturday, while Southeast Missouri State hosts SIU Edwardsville.