EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Evansville (1-0) shot 82.4 percent at the free throw line in an 80-65 win over Southeast Missouri (0-2) Sunday afternoon at the Ford Center.
 
In a game flooded with 50 fouls between the two teams, UE made 28-of-34 free throws en route to its first victory of the season.

After a close first half, Southeast pulled to within two points on three occasions in the opening 5:23 of the second stanza.
 
Sikeston native J.T. Jones, who made his first career start, knocked down a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to cut UE's lead to 46-44 with 17:51 left to play.
 
Isiah Jones' jumper diced the Purple Aces lead to 48-46 shortly after that. Following a UE turnover, Jones had a chance to put the Redhawks ahead, but missed a 3-pointer.
 
Joel Angus III's layup made it a two-point game again, this time at 50-48 with 14:37 remaining, but Jaylon Brown answered with a layup.
 
Ahead, 57-52, with 10:34 left to play, UE went on a 15-2 run to pull away for good.

Mislav Brzoja scored five points during that jaunt which ended with D.J. Balentine's two free throws giving the Purple Aces a 72-54 advantage at the 6:40 mark. The Redhawks made just 1-of-6 field goals during that stretch.
 
Balentine scored a game-high 20 points and Egidiju Mockevicius added a double-double 18 points and 14 rebounds to lead UE. Ten of Balentine's points came at the free throw line, where he went 10-of-12.
 
Brzoja also contributed a double-double 16 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.
 
In addition to its strong free throw shooting, UE outrebounded Southeast, 47-30. The Redhawks shot just 45.5 percent (10-of-22) at the charity stripe.
 
"We really didn't have a rhythm," said Southeast head coach Rick Ray. "I think there are some things in our control that we need to fix. We have to do a better job at the free throw line and rebounding the basketball. This was the second game we were outrebounded."
 
Angus led three players with double figures in the scoring column for Southeast. He finished with 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
 
"Joel is starting to figure it out," added Ray. "He is such a strong kid who can drive by and make plays."

Antonius Cleveland followed with 14 points and J.T. Jones pitched in 10. Jones also grabbed six rebounds in 22 minutes.
 
Southeast shot 42.4 percent (25-of-59) from the field on the day.
 
The Redhawks return to action when they travel to Southwestern Athletic Conference member Alabama A&M on Nov. 19.