NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Erik Durham and Norbertas Giga each had a double-double, and #4 Jacksonville State (18-14) buried 12 three-pointers in a 74-51 win over #5 Southeast Missouri (15-18) Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
 
With the loss, SEMO ends its 2016-17 campaign as one of the most improved teams in NCAA Division I basketball this season. The Redhawks, entered tonight's game 19^th on that list, increasing their win total by a +10 margin following a 5-24 record a year ago.
 
"These guys can't lose sight of what we accomplished this season," said head coach Rick Ray. "I think our future is very bright. I want to commend our seniors in this program. They wanted to stick around and remain a part of our program. I appreciate all they have done."
 
SEMO struggled to defend the three and JSU took advantage.
 
The Gamecocks buried six 3-pointers and outscored the Redhawks, 18-6, from beyond the arc in the first half alone.
 
Durham started the game perfect from long range dropping in his first three long range attempts attempts.
 
He then buried a pair of 3-pointers to help the Gamecocks grab a 26-22 lead with 5:25 left to play. A free throw by Greg Tucker boosted JSU's lead to five points before the Gamecocks were ahead, 31-27, at the half.
 
SEMO shot 25 percent (2-of-8) from 3-point range and JSU drained 50 percent (6-of-12) of its treys in the opening stanza. The Redhawks also scored under 30 points in the first half for the seventh time this year.
 
JSU blew the game open with a 16-5 run in the first 5:57 of the second half. Tucker's 3-pointer capped the rally and gave the Gamecocks a 47-32 lead with 14:03 remaining.
 
A layup by Deshawn Jones polished off the 74-51 win for JSU.
 
Durham finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Giga added 11 point and grabbed 12 boards. Malcolm Drumwright also pitched in 15 points and had seven assists to lead the Gamecocks.
 
JSU shot 51.9 percent (27-of-52) from the field and made 58.6 percent (17-of-29) of its attempts in the second half. The Gamecocks outrebounded SEMO, 38-27, as well.
 
Denzel Mahoney led SEMO with 20 points and five rebounds. Mahoney, the OVC Freshman of the Year, averaged 27 points in his first two career postseason tournament games.
 
Antonius Cleveland brought a close to an outstanding SEMO career by scoring seven points, pulling down five rebounds and collecting two steals. Cleveland leaves SEMO ranked fifth among the school's all-time career scoring leaders with 1,556 points.
 
"SEMO has always been home for me from the start," commented Cleveland. "I'm really going to miss it here and I enjoyed playing for Coach Ray and his staff the last two years."
 
The Redhawks 51 points were a season-low against JSU, which has the league's top scoring defense.