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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Marland Smith matched a career-high 30 points to lead Southeast Missouri (14-11, 9-4) to an 85-72 win over SIU Edwardsville (7-15, 5-8) Saturday night in Ohio Valley Conference action at the Vadalabene Center.

Smith, who scored 1,000 career points two nights earlier, shot 8-of-12 from the field and 10-of-12 at the free throw line. He also knocked down 4-of-8 three-pointers and pulled down a season-high nine rebounds in 39 minutes.

“Marland had a great game,” said Southeast head coach Dickey Nutt. “This was a difficult game for us. SIUE is a dangerous team and we were concerned. We didn't play great, but did what we needed to win the game.”

Southeast heated up to shoot 62.1 percent (18-of-29) from the field in the second half.
The Redhawks held a 63-60 lead with 8:24 left to play before stringing together a 14-5 run to bury the Cougars for good.

Tyler Stone scored four points, while Smith and Nick Niemczyk each knocked down a three to help propel Southeast to a 77-65 lead at the 2:39 mark.

Smith's two free throws gave Southeast its biggest lead at 85-70 with 49 seconds left before the Redhawks put the win on ice.

Southeast trailed, 29-28, with 4:31 left in the first half when Michael Porter stole the ball and threw down an uncontested two-handed dunk to spark a 10-4 run. Porter posted steals on back-to-back possessions, as the Redhawks forced five turnovers in the last five minutes of the half.

Smith made five free throws, while Niemczyk buried a three-pointer to key that surge which gave Southeast a 38-33 lead at the intermission.

Smith made 4-of-6 field goals and knocked down a near-perfect 6-of-7 free throws en route to a 16-point first half. He also grabbed six rebounds.

Stone added 20 points, including 14 in the second half. He shot 10-of-19 from the field, pulled down nine rebounds and dished out three assists.

Stone and Smith gave Southeast two 20-point scorers in a game for the third time this season. Smith last scored 30 points against Tennessee State on Feb. 25, 2010.

Niemczyk was the Redhawks other double-digit scorer with 11.

Southeast outmatched SIUE underneath, outscoring the Cougars, 42-18, inside the paint.

Kris Davis led the Cougars with 20 points, 12 of which came from behind the arc. SIUE had nine three-pointers on the night.

The Redhawks return to Cape Girardeau to host league-leading and nationally-ranked Murray State in their last home game of the season on Feb. 15. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., CT, at the Show Me Center.