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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Sherman Blanford scored 21 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, made two free throws to tie the game in regulation and hit the go-ahead basket in overtime, leading Eastern Illinois (6-16, 3-6) to a 78-72 win over Southeast Missouri (11-12, 3-6) Saturday night in a nailbiter at Lantz Arena.

Blanford's basket gave EIU a 68-67 advantage in the extra period, and the Panthers made 10 free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.

Southeast matched a season-high 11 three-pointers, but that wasn't enough to catch EIU, which has won three-straight after being on a 12-game losing streak.

"I thought we had our chances and that Eastern Illinois played with nothing to lose," said Southeast head coach Dickey Nutt. "Our guard play was good, but our inside game struggled. We just broke down at critical times in the game."

The Redhawks trailed by 13 with 2:02 left in the first half and was later down, 33-27, at the intermission.

Southeast came out in the second half and scored its first 12 points from three-point range as Corey Wilford poured in 11 points in a span of 8:52. Wilford's conventional three-point play capped an 18-9 run, giving the Redhawks a 45-44 edge with 11:08 remaining. It was Southeast's first lead since the 15:38 mark of the opening stanza.

Wilford followed with a jumper and Nick Niemczyk drained a three to push Southeast's lead to 50-44 with just under 10 minutes (9:58)

EIU, however, battled back to regain a 53-52 lead on a pair of Alex Austin free throws.

Neither team led by more than three points after that and Blanford calmly hit his free throws with six seconds, sending the game to overtime.

The Redhawks got a shot off before the buzzer sounded in regulation, but Marland Smith's three-point attempt bounced off the rim.

Southeast had some chances down the stretch and didn't capitalize.

After Josh Piper's trey gave EIU a 64-61 cushion, the Redhawks shot four free throws in a row, but only made one of those tries.

The Panthers came up empty after collecting two offensive rebounds on their next possession, and A.J. Jones made a layup to tie the game at 64-64. Jones was fouled on the play and missed a free throw that would have put the Redhawks ahead with 2:06 left.

Southeast then took a 67-66 lead on Smith's three-pointer with 1:32 left before Blanford's jumper gave EIU its 68-67 lead 27 seconds later.

The Panthers followed Blanford's bucket with 10 free throws in the last minute.

Blanford shot 6-of-14 from the field and 9-of-11 at the free throw line, while pulling down nine of his game-high 16 rebounds on the offensive end. Piper followed with 13 points, Morris Woods and Austin Akers each added 12, and Malcolm Herron pitched in 11 to lead EIU.

The Panthers outrebounded the Redhawks, 50-34 (+16), and held a +9 (18-9) margin on the offensive glass.

"It goes back to rebounding," said Nutt. "We have to be a lot tougher."

Wilford led all Southeast scorers with 20 points, including 16 in the second half. He shot 8-of-15 from the field and 3-of-6 from downtown.

"Corey had a big secodn half and really helped us get back in the game," said Nutt. "Our guard play isn't the problem right now."

Smith and Jones also scored double figures with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Smith hit 4-of-9 threes, and as a result, moved to second all-time in career three-pointers made at Southeast. He now has 216.

Meanwhile, Tyler Stone contributed a double-double 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Additionally, Southeast held EIU under 40 percent (36.5) shooting and tied a season-high eight blocks.

The Redhawks wrapped up January with a 2-6 record.

Southeast returns to Cape Girardeau to host Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 2. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m., CT, at the Show Me Center.