CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Austin Peay State University women's basketball team could not overcome a lack of intensity on the defensive end and dropped its Ohio Valley Conference opener, 71-57, to Southeast Missouri, Saturday at the Show Me Center.

Austin Peay (5-8, 0-1 OVC) again suffered through a slow start, making two field goals in the first three minutes before without a basket over the next five minutes. Southeast Missouri used an 10-0 run during that drought to build a 13-4 lead with 13:20 left.

The game was a see-saw affair the half's remainder with Austin Peay getting within a basket or tying the game, but unable to gain the lead. Southeast Missouri saw its lead erased twice but closed the half with a 7-2 run to take a 10-point, 37-27 lead into halftime.

Austin Peay scored the second half's first five points - courtesy senior Meghan Bussabarger's layup and junior Nicole Olszewski's three-pointer. However, the Lady Govs would not get closer than five points in the second half.

Southeast Missouri (6-8, 1-1 OVC) fended off the Lady Govs charge and built the lead back to 10 points by the 12-minute mark. The Redhawks lead expanded to 18 points with 3:10 left and they would not be threatened the game's remainder.

Freshman Alexis Hardaway led Austin Peay with 11 points and nine rebounds. Bussabarger and Nicole Olszewski each added 10 points. Senior Leslie Martinez finished with career-high tying 14 rebounds. The Lady Govs offense was held to 37.3 percent (22-of-59) shooting on the night.

Southeast Missouri Jordan Hunter led all scorers with 21 points and Brittany Harriel added 19 points - both topping the previous season high by a SEMO individual. The Redhawks posted a season-best 47.4 percent (27-of-57) shooting percentage which included a 38.9 percent (7-of-18) outing from three-point range.

Austin Peay returns to action when it travels to UT Martin for a 5:30 p.m., Monday contest at the Elam Center.