Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Newcomer Allyson Bradshaw shows potential

Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Allyson Bradshaw played 22 minutes and scored five points during Southeast's 73-46 loss on Saturday to Eastern Illinois. - Photo by Kelso Hope

Allyson Bradshaw's favorite court to play on during her basketball career at Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau was at the Show Me Center.

Now a freshman guard for the Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball team, she gets to enjoy that same court once again and remain close to home.

"It's been really nice to have all my friends and family friends come to watch me play," Bradshaw said. "I think it kind of gets the girls up a little bit to have a little bit more of a crowd than we did last year."

Bradshaw's parents also have supported the Redhawks off the court and even welcomed the team into their home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

"They've made a couple of team dinners and had the whole team over to our house," Bradshaw said. "Since we were on the road for Thanksgiving this year, they had a Thanksgiving dinner the night before and it was just kind of like the traditional, home-cooked meal so we didn't have to just have fast food. They could actually have a family environment."

Bradshaw, who was a point guard at Notre Dame, has transitioned into a shooting guard for the Redhawks. Coach Ty Margenthaler gives her credit for her play this season and also for being a "great teammate."

"Her role right now is definitely on the offensive end, to come in and make open shots and give us some good energy and she's been doing that the past few games," Margenthaler said.

Bradshaw scored a career-high 13 points in a Nov. 29 win over Arkansas State. She was 3-for-5 from 3-point range.

"I really think after that Arkansas State game is when she started feeling better about her abilities and she belongs at this level," Margenthaler said. "I really do think she does and she's got to continue to work and grow, but there's always places for a kid that can shoot the basketball."

Bradshaw is shooting 27 percent from 3-point range, which leads the team. Her first collegiate points were a 3-pointer against St. Louis University, the second game of the season.

"I first came out in practice a little scared being a freshman and playing with all these upper classmen," Bradshaw said. "But that first game ... right whenever I got put in, I think I might have scored a 3 or something and I was like 'Oh, I can do this'. It was a big confidence booster, especially with the team building me up."

Bradshaw has played in each game this season and leads non-starters in scoring with 4.6 points per game.

"Of course I hope that I can help the team to a good season, to a winning season, but it's going to take work, it's going to take time," Bradshaw said.

The Redhawks had a record of 4-14 and were 1-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference prior to Monday's OVC game against SIUE.

"She's still that freshman, learning the game, learning what we're trying to ask her to do on both ends of the court," Margenthaler said. "I think for the most part she's continued to get better and as a coach that's all you can ask for from a freshman."

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