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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Marland Smith scored a game-high 14 points to lead five players in double figures, as Southeast Missouri (6-7, 1-0) opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a commanding 67-51 win over Morehead State (6-8, 0-1) Wednesday night at the Show Me Center.

Southeast dominated from start to finish en route to its first conference-opening victory since 2006-07.

"It was a super win for us," said Southeast head coach Dickey Nutt. "Our shot selection was excellent and we really set the tone defensively. I thought everyone added something to our team tonight."

Morehead State went scoreless for the first 8:13 of the game. The Eagles missed their first 10 field goals and turned the ball over three times in that span.
 
Southeast capitalized on Morehead's cold shooting by going on a 15-0 run with Nick Niemczyk scoring eight points -- including six from three-point range -- to lead the way.
 
Leon Powell also recorded two blocks and threw down a monsterous dunk off a Smith miss to send an early charge into the home crowd.
 
Kahlil Owens finally snapped the Eagles drought with a layup at the 11:47 mark, but Southeast didn't let up.
 
Smith's three-pointer capped a 9-0 run to give Southeast a 17-point advantage (30-13) with 4:10 remaining before the Redhawks built a 33-19 lead at the break.
 
Southeast held Morehead State to its lowest point total in the first half of an OVC game since the Eagles scored 18 points vs. Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 10, 2008. The 14-point halftime lead marked the Redhawks second-largest of the season.

The Redhawks continued to pour it on in the second half, extending their lead to 22 points on two occasions in the last 10:30 of the game.

Corey Wilford, who scored 10 points in the final period, made a jumper to give Southeast a 49-27 advantage at the 10:23 mark, before Niemczyk nailed a three-pointer to make it 52-30 two possessions later.

The Redhawks polished off their second-straight win by shooting 52.2 percent (12-of-23) from the field with five of their field goals coming from behind the arc in the second half.

Smith shot 4-of-11 from the field, 3-of-8 from three-point range and 3-of-3 at the free throw line to lead all Southeast scorers. He added seven rebounds, two assists and a game-high three steals, as well.

Niemczyk and Wilford followed with 13 points and added three 3-pointers each.

Meanwhile, Powell and Stone rounded out the Redhawks double-digit scorers with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Stone also had a game-high nine rebounds.

Combined, those five players outscored the entire Eagles team.

In addition, Southeast turned the ball over just 11 times against a Morehead team which forced more than 20 turnovers in back-to-back games prior to tonight.

The Eagles, who entered the night as the OVC's second-best three-point shooting team, shot a mere 20 percent (4-of-20) from downtown.

"Our defense set the tempo," said Powell. "We had been struggling defensively, but everything came together tonight. We never let up."

Owens and Terrance Hill led Morehead State with nine points apiece.

Southeast, which shot 50 percent or better from the field for the fourth time this year, put a halt to an eight-game losing streak in its all-time series against Morehead State.

The Redhawks return to action after the New Year when they host Jacksonville State on Jan. 2. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m., CT, at the Show Me Center.