Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Shifted lineup results in record success for women's basketball

Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Submitted photo

Southeast Missouri State women’s basketball team has had to shake its offense and defense up a bit after losing 6-foot-2-inch freshman forward LaTrese Saine last week due to a stress fracture in her ankle that healed improperly.

“When you lose such a big part of your height on the floor, as a coach you’ve got to switch things up to see what can be successful,” coach Rekha Patterson said.

The team’s offensive shift has opened up the opportunity for more outside shooters to drop in more 3-pointers.

During Sunday’s matchup against Stephen’s College, the new offense hit 16 3-pointers, which tied the record set on Jan. 11, 2003, against Morehead State.

“That game was a huge confidence builder for us,” sophomore Adrianna Murphy said following the victory. “We went into the game excited to implement the new setup and were pleased with today’s outcome.”

The shift allows the team to kick out the ball beyond the arc more than previously, acknowledging the players who can shoot deeper shots.

Sunday, junior guard Hannah Noe led the team with a career-best six 3-pointers, tying senior guard/forward Olivia Hackmann in scoring with 18 points each.

“All year, Coach P has emphasized the importance of transition defense with this team,” Hackmann said, “and when you’re down a player like we are, you’ve got to make sure that defense is even tougher.”

The team recorded 17 steals on Sunday, finishing those possessions in all times but two with layups. By the end of the game, the Redhawks scored 43 points from turnovers made by Stephens.

Along with the new defensive and offensive shifts, the team’s bench is finding its knack in coming in mid-game.

“This makes a big difference for us as we get into the third and fourth quarters,” Patterson said. “We can play hard and fast with fresh legs and never miss a beat with our scoring.”

As a team, Southeast played all 12 available players with everyone seeing double-digit minutes and all scoring but one.

“We were able to get Lakyn [Gulley] more minutes today and she really showed out,” Patterson said. “We are looking to use her shot a lot more as we tweak our offense.”

The junior guard hit four buckets from 3-point range while scoring a season-high 12 points.

For the 5-foot-3-inch guard, Murphy dished out 11 assists Sunday, pulled in a team-high six rebounds and finished with four points and two steals.

“As soon as the ball goes up, I’m always looking to see if I can get my hands on it,” Murphy said. “Whether I can just tip it or pull it down, that’s always a big deal for me.”

Nationally, Murphy ranks first in assists and seventh in assists per game as of Nov. 5.

Southeast tied program records for points in a game and 3-pointers made in Sunday's 107-59 victory over Stephens College.

The team will compete again at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Show Me Center against Lipscomb.

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