Final Statistics | Final Statistics PDF Version | Postgame Notes & Quotes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Eric Stutz had a double-double 22 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 3 Eastern Kentucky (24-8) made 37 free throws in an 84-69 victory over No. 6 Southeast Missouri (17-16) Thursday night in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

EKU attempted 45 free throws, 27 more than Southeast, and that was the difference. The Redhawks were also charged with a season-high 28 fouls, including 17 in the second half.

“Glancing at this stat sheet, it makes you sick to your stomach that they shot 45 free throws to our 18. I credit them for that," said Southeast head coach Dickey Nutt. "They have a really good team. I've said this before that they certainly are the surprise team in the league. They are very good at what they do. They have a lot of good pieces and they shoot the ball well and they certainly are a great free throw shooting team.”

Four of the seven Redhawks that played were charged with at least two fouls and Southeast turned the ball over seven times against a smothering Colonel defense in the first half.

EKU, which shot just 33.3 percent (10-of-30) from the field, made 15 of its free throws and had six steals in the opening stanza.

Shortly after Marland Smith made a layup with 11:56 remaining, Nick Niemczyk was fouled and completed a three-point play to ignite an 8-0 run. Smith added another bucket before Niemczyk nailed a three to give the Redhawks a 21-16 lead 1:36 later.

The Colonels battled back to tie the game at 29-29 with 3:25 and used a 10-2 run to take an eight-point lead (39-31) at the break.

Southeast fell behind at the half for the first time since Jan. 26, snapping a streak of nine-straight games where it led at the intermission. The Redhawks also shot 34.4 percent (11-of-32) from the field and 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from three-point range.

The Redhawks used a 9-0 run to pull to within five nearly seven minutes into the second half. Tyler Stone capped that stretch with five-straight points and made three free throws to narrow EKU's lead to 49-44 with 13:36 left.

That was as close as Southeast would get.

The Colonels then led by as many as 17 points twice before finishing off the win.

EKU, which ended a two-game OVC Tournament losing streak against Southeast, shot 82.2 percent (37-of-45) at the free throw line.

Stutz shot 6-of-9 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Orlando Williams followed with 14 points off the bench, while Corey Walden and Mike DiNunno added 12 and 10, respectively.

Nino Johnson led Southeast with 18 points and Stone chipped in 14 points and nine boards. Niemczyk and Smith followed with 12 points apiece.

“I was very proud of our seniors. I thought Nino Johnson played well tonight. In probably about the last 30 minutes he really got together and played hard and played really well. He played big. I think he is going to be a force to reckon with in the future. He's certainly going to be one of the best big men in the league with Tyler Stone,” said Nutt.

Southeast had three players foul out and three others with three or more. The Redhawks shot 38.9 percent (21-of-54) from the floor and only 20.8 percent (5-of-24) from downtown. Southeast went 1-of-9 behind the arc in the second half.