Ohio Valley Conference

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Southeast Missouri Women's Basketball (10-17, 6-12 OVC) defeated Little Rock (14-14, 10-8 OVC), 71-62, at the Jack Stephens Center on Saturday. The Redhawks dominated in the paint, scoring 50 points, to secure the victory.

The Trojans started with a fast-paced offense, highlighted by Brenna Burk's early 3-pointer. The visitors found success inside, scoring 10 points in the paint, with Raissa Nsabua and Carmen Taylor each contributing key layups. Jordan Holman of Little Rock made an impact with an assist and a defensive rebound, helping maintain their lead. At the end of the first quarter, Little Rock held an 18–14 advantage.

Nsabua contributed significantly for Southeast Missouri, scoring multiple buckets in the paint, including two fast-break layups to help maintain scoring momentum. The home team's offense, led by Mya Cotto with a key layup, kept the game tight, but turnovers hindered their ability to seize control. The Redhawks capitalized on Little Rock's turnovers, with Zoey Rixter and Da'Kariya Jackson each securing steals that were converted into points. At halftime, Southeast Missouri held a narrow advantage, leading 36–35.

Jackson drained an early 3-pointer to regain the lead for Southeast Missouri. Kearra Jones scored consistently in the paint, contributing multiple baskets and a fast-break jumper. Nsabua and Jackson each recorded key defensive rebounds to maintain momentum. The Redhawks outscored Little Rock 22-11 in the quarter, taking a 58-46 lead into the final frame.

Southeast Missouri extended its lead with Ainaya Williams scoring a jumper in the paint early. Little Rock narrowed the margin with a three-pointer by Holman assisted by Burk. Nsabua contributed key points with a jumper and two free throws, maintaining the visitor's advantage. The Redhawks secured the victory with a final score of 71–62.

LINDENWOOD 70, TENNESSEE TECH 57
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Lindenwood women's basketball team (22, 7, 14-4 OVC) picked up their sixth-straight win in a 70-57 victory over Tennessee Tech (14-13, 7-11 OVC) on Saturday afternoon in Cookeville, Tenn.

Lindenwood got off to a fast start and held a 13-7 lead at the midway point of the first quarter behind seven early points from Brooke Coffey. However, Tennessee State closed the frame on a 12-0 run and led 19-13 after one.

It was Lindenwood's turn to respond with a run and they did, scoring the first seven points of the second period, capped off by an Ellie Bruegemann three that put the Lions back in front, 20-19. The run continued as the Lions ballooned the lead to 32-19 behind a 19-0 run overall. The Golden Eagles were held scoreless for seven minutes in the quarter, which allowed Lindenwood to take a 38-26 lead into halftime. Aleshia Jones had a strong middle frame, scoring 10 of her 14 points, going 5-of-5 from the field. Coffey also chipped in 13.

The Lions ballooned the lead to 38-30 with a strong start to the third quarter. Lindenwood remained in front by double digits throughout the quarter and held a 38-43 lead heading to the fourth. Valerie Norwood provided a spark off the bench in the period, scoring eight points as the Black and Gold shot 67 percent overall.

Brueggemann drilled a three early in the fourth to make the score 63-45. Tennessee Tech chipped away and got as close as 12, but the Lions cruised to their sixth-consecutive win on Saturday afternoon behind four double digit scorers in a 70-57 victory.

SOUTHERN INDIANA 72, EASTERN ILLINOIS 63
CHARLESTON, Ill. - University of Southern Indiana Women's Basketball bounced back on Saturday afternoon with a 72-63 road win at Eastern Illinois University, clinching at least a first-round bye in the upcoming Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
 
USI Women's Basketball (19-8, 13-5 OVC) finished off a season sweep of Eastern Illinois with Saturday's victory and clinched at minimum a top-four seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming OVC Tournament. Meanwhile, Eastern Illinois dropped to 4-25 overall and 3-15 in OVC play.
 
Following a tough result and shooting night on Thursday at Western Illinois University, the Screaming Eagles bounced back with a solid outing on Saturday. USI shot the ball for 46 percent (30-65) overall with six three-pointers toward a three-point percentage of 35 percent. USI went 6-8 for 75 percent at the foul line. The Eagles won the battle on the glass, 42-35, and outscored the Panthers in the paint, 42-22. Additionally, USI had 23 assists toward its 30 made field goals.
 
Senior guard Ali Saunders put together a strong performance with a game-high 26 points on 9-17 shooting overall and 6-9 from beyond the arc. Saturday was the 10th time this season Saunders has scored 20 or more. Plus, the senior dished out a game-high eight assists for the fourth time this season. Junior forward Chloe Gannon posted her third double-double of the season with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Junior guard Sophia Loden tallied 10 points with seven boards.
 
Eastern Illinois had two players score in double figures. The Panthers were held to just over 35 percent shooting (22-62) while going 7-22 for nearly 32 percent from long range. Eastern Illinois went 12-13 for 92 percent at the free-throw line.
 
The Screaming Eagles came out of the gates with a 9-0 start two minutes into the contest. USI shared the ball well in the first quarter, as all five starters found the scoring column quickly in the first period. With under two minutes left in the opening frame, a Saunders three-pointer put USI up by 12, 23-11. Seconds later, Saunders added to lead and reached double figures in scoring. A layup in the final seconds of the first by Gannon gave USI a 28-13 advantage through the first 10 minutes of action.
 
Eastern Illinois responded and began the second quarter with an 8-0 run to pull back within seven. Saunders twice hit a three-pointer in the early portion of the second quarter as the Panthers tried to draw closer. Eastern Illinois did climb back to make it a six-point difference, 34-28, with five minutes remaining in the first half. Saunders ended nearly a three-minute scoreless drought with another triple to reach 19 points in the first half. USI ended up with a 39-32 lead at halftime.
 
After a slow start to the game, the Panthers continued to fight to stay within striking distance in the early minutes of the second half. The Eagles went back up by double digits, 49-37, after back-to-back baskets by Gannon and Loden. Sophomore guard Lexi Sepulveda and freshman guard Lily Graves came off the bench with a couple of late baskets in the third quarter to increase USI's lead to 58-44 going to the fourth period.
 
USI's lead reached 16 early in the fourth quarter on a field goal by junior forward Amiyah Buchanan. Once again, as Eastern Illinois tried to chip away in the middle of the fourth, the Eagles responded when Loden tallied back-to-back layups to keep USI's lead at 16, 68-52, with four minutes to go. Even though the Panthers pulled back to within single digits, late free throws and a jumper by Saunders proved to be the necessary stamp to finish off the win.

WESTERN ILLINOIS 74, MOREHEAD STATE 53
MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois Leathernecks women's basketball delivered a dominant fourth-quarter performance Saturday afternoon at Western Hall, outscoring Morehead State Eagles women's basketball 28–7 in the final 10 minutes to secure a 74–53 Ohio Valley Conference victory.

Western Illinois improved to 23–4 overall and 15–3 in conference play after turning a tightly contested game into a decisive win down the stretch. The Leathernecks trailed 29–24 at halftime but regrouped after the break, shooting efficiently in the third quarter to erase the deficit. WIU connected on 56.3 percent of its shots in the third, setting the stage for a 46–46 tie heading into the final period.

The momentum fully shifted early in the fourth quarter. Addi Brownfield sparked the run with consecutive three-pointers that quickly created separation, energizing the home crowd and forcing Morehead State to play from behind. Western Illinois shot 63.6 percent in the final frame and knocked down four three-pointers while tightening its defensive pressure. The Leathernecks held the Eagles to just seven points in the quarter, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities and steady trips to the free-throw line.

Mia Nicastro led all scorers with 24 points while adding eight rebounds, providing a consistent inside presence throughout the afternoon. Brownfield finished with 20 points, including four three-pointers, and delivered several timely baskets during the decisive fourth-quarter stretch. Allie Meadows contributed 13 points, and Mallory Shetley added 12 points and four assists as Western Illinois placed four players in double figures.

As a team, the Leathernecks shot 45.3 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc while converting 19 of 26 free throws. Western Illinois also controlled the paint with 30 points inside and capitalized on key turnovers to fuel its late surge.

After battling through three competitive quarters, the Leathernecks' composure, defensive intensity, and efficient offense proved the difference. Western Illinois protected its home court in convincing fashion and strengthened its position in the OVC standings as the regular season continues.

SIUE 67, TENNESSEE STATE 52
NASHVILLE - The freshman duo Kiyoko Proctor and Lauren Miller led the Cougars to their fourth consecutive win Saturday, defeating Tennessee State 67-52.
 
Proctor led the team with 24 points, making this her 12th game for SIUE as the scoring leader and her third game with 20 or more points. She had a career-best six three-pointers while shooting 9-12 from the field.
 
Miller recorded her first career double-double with 14 points on 5-18 shooting from the field and 4-5 from the line. She also grabbed 10 boards while adding two assists and a steal.
 
Syanne Mohamed had seven points and led the team with 14 rebounds, while Macy Silvey had nine points and nine rebounds.
 
As a team, SIUE had a new season high of 60 rebounds, the most in a game since the program transitioned to Division I in the 2011-12 season. The Cougars shot 62 percent from the line and 32 percent from the field and three-point range.
 
SIUE is now 14-14 overall and 7-11 in the Ohio Valley Conference while TSU falls to 4-23 overall and 3-15 in conference play.
 
Mohamed opened the scoring for the Cougars with a layup 30 seconds into the first quarter. Proctor had her first three-pointer of the match with 6:43 remaining and followed with two more to cap a 9-0 run for SIUE with 4:40 left in the first.
 
During the second quarter, Adebukola Akomolafe hit a free throw that gave SIUE an 18-point lead, their largest of the game. TSU answered with a run of its own, trimming the deficit before halftime at the Cougars carried a 34-21 lead into the break.  
 
Tennessee State made its strongest push in the third quarter, outscoring SIUE 18-13 and cutting the deficit to five midway through the period. Miller responded with a series of finishes in the paint, and Proctor ended the quarter with a three at the buzzer to send the Cougars into the fourth with a 47-39 advantage.
 
SIUE closed the door in the final 10 minutes, outscoring TSU 20-13 while holding the Tigers without a three-point field goal. Proctor and miller combined for 22 second-half points, and Proctor's late layup extended the lead to 15 int eh closing seconds as the Cougars secured their fourth straight win.