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Marland Smith

Men's Basketball By Jeff Honza, Southeast Missouri Sports Information

Redhawks Eliminate Eastern Kentucky, 75-65

Southeast advances to play No. 4 Tennessee Tech in Quarterfinals on Mar. 1

Marland Smith scored 20 points to lead Southeast to its first-round OVC Tournament win over Eastern Kentucky
Box Score | PDF Version of Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Marland Smith scored 20 points, while Tyler Stone and Leon Powell each added a double-double to lead fifth-seeded Southeast Missouri (15-15) to a 75-65 win over eighth-seeded Eastern Kentucky (16-16) Wednesday night in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Southeast snapped a season-long four-game losing streak and knocked EKU out of the postseason for the second year in a row.

"This was the most unselfish our team has played in awhile," said Southeast head coach Dickey Nutt. "Our bigs were really good tonight. Marland and Lucas complemented that with strong efforts on the perimeter."

Southeast led 15-2 after a 13-0 run that included six of Stone's 10 first-half points.

The Redhawks, who led 38-28 at halftime, built their biggest lead of the night when Smith's free throw made it 36-19 with 4:37 left in the opening stanza.

After that, the Colonels couldn't get any closer than five points (56-51).

Smith, who made only one three-pointer, shot 5-of-10 from the field and 9-of-13 at the free throw line.

Stone followed with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He hit 9-of-14 field goals and pulled down eight offensive rebounds. Stone earned his fifth double-double of the season and first since Jan. 30.

Powell chipped in 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for his team-best 14th career double-double. He added a game-high four blocks, as well.

Lucas Nutt, who started in place of Marcus Brister, pitched in nine points and had 11 assists. Brister did not play due to a violation of team rules.

Jaron Jones led EKU with 28 points, including 22 in the second half.

The Redhawks outrebounded the Colonels, 44-33, and had 16 offensive boards. Southeast also shot 51.5 percent (17-of-33) from the field in the first half and 49.1 percent (27-of-55) for the game.

Southeast opened postseason play with a win for the second-consecutive season under Nutt.

The Redhawks advance to the quarterfinals to face No. 4 Tennessee Tech Thursday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m., CT, at Municipal Auditorium.

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