CHARLESTON, Ill. (Interstat) — Kearra Jones recorded a dominant double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds, and the Southeast Missouri State women’s basketball team used a stifling first-half defensive effort to cruise past Eastern Illinois 71-56 in an Ohio Valley Conference game Saturday at Lantz Arena.

The Redhawks (8-13, 3-5 OVC) held the Panthers (3-20, 1-7) to just 16 points over the opening 20 minutes, building a commanding 35-16 halftime lead that was never seriously threatened. Eastern Illinois, which entered the game with a 76.5% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, could not overcome its frigid start, shooting just 8-for-27 from the floor in the first half while committing 12 turnovers.

The most important part of the game was Southeast Missouri State’s immediate and overwhelming defensive pressure from the opening tip. The Redhawks set the tone by forcing the Panthers into a scoring drought that lasted nearly five minutes to start the game. Eastern Illinois did not reach double figures until the 2:04 mark of the second quarter. This early stranglehold allowed Southeast Missouri State to operate comfortably on offense and establish a rhythm that lasted throughout the contest.

Jones, a 6-foot-1 junior from Madison, Wisconsin, was the catalyst on both ends, adding three blocks and two assists in 36 minutes. Her interior presence disrupted Eastern Illinois’ offense repeatedly. She was supported by a balanced scoring attack, with Raissa Nsabua of Ottawa, Canada, adding 14 points and Lexi McCully contributing 12.

Despite the lopsided first half, Eastern Illinois showed resilience after the break, outscoring Southeast Missouri State 40-36 in the second half. The Panthers were led by a game-high 22 points from Ava Stoller, a 5-foot-6 guard from St. Petersburg, Florida. Adriana Arroyo provided a spark off the bench with eight points, all in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers.

The Panthers cut the deficit to 13 points on multiple occasions in the final quarter, but each time the Redhawks had an answer, often through Jones or McCully, to maintain a safe margin. Southeast Missouri State’s ball movement was sharp, finishing with 17 assists on 28 made field goals.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for the Redhawks, who edged Eastern Illinois 70-68 in Cape Girardeau on Jan. 1. It also snapped a two-game losing skid for Southeast Missouri State, which had fallen to Western Illinois on Thursday.

For Eastern Illinois, the loss extends a difficult season, marking their 20th defeat. Ella Lune of Brimfield, Illinois, added nine points and seven rebounds for the Panthers, while Meioshe Mason had seven points, three rebounds and three assists.

The game was attended by 803 fans. Southeast Missouri State shot consistently across all four quarters, scoring 18, 17, 18 and 18 points, respectively. Eastern Illinois’ scoring by quarter was 8, 8, 19 and 21.

Southeast Missouri State will look to build on the win when it hosts Morehead State on Thursday. Eastern Illinois continues its search for consistency as it hits the road to face Tennessee State on Thursday.