SEMO women’s basketball came up short against the Little Rock Trojans 58-39 on February 2. It was a tough game for the Redhawks, as they shot just 16-62 from the field including just 2-24 from beyond the three-point line.

Coach Patterson said that SEMO’s struggle to score had a direct effect on the rest of the game.

“I think it deflated us, our inability to make shots,” Patterson said. “And if you're not making shots, the thing you're supposed to do is go get offensive rebounds because then you're either gonna get to the free throw line, or you're going to be able to score from that.”

Rebounding and free throws had a huge impact on the outcome of the game.

When it came to rebounding, Little Rock outrebounded the Redhawks 42-24, including 19 rebounds from the Trojan’s redshirt junior forward Sali Kourouma. Coach Rekha Patterson said that Little Rock’s rebounding numbers came down to their toughness and them “wanting it”.

“We got punked. I mean, I don't know how to say at 42 to 24. One player has 19 and we have a total of 24 Yeah, we just got punked in the paint,” Patterson said. “When it comes down to it, you just gotta be tough and you gotta want it more, and clearly they did, looking at those rebounding numbers.”

As for free throws, Little Rock attempted 29 free throws to SEMO’s six. Coach Patterson said she felt that Little Rock exaggerated some of the called fouls but credited them for being aggressive.

“I want to make sure that I do not get fined or reprimanded. You have to be aggressive and I think you have to credit Little Rock because they were, and if we push them they fell,” Patterson said. “If they pushed us we decided we were not going to fall and we were going to try to take that contact.”

SEMO will be back home at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 11 when they face Morehead State in the Show Me Center.