KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Nygal Russell scored eight points, had a steal and knocked down two huge 3-pointers in the final 2:32 to give Southeast Missouri (1-0) a 71-66 win over Kansas City (2-1) Saturday afternoon at the Negro Baseball League Museum Tip-Off Classic.

Russell, who finished with 14 points as one of four SEMO players in double figures, hit both of his treys in the last minute to help get Brad Korn his first career win as the Redhawks head coach.

"These kids have been through so much and I couldn't be more proud of these guys and how we closed this one out," said Korn. "I thought we attacked the right way, did a good job of getting to our spots and being strong with the basketball."

A native of Houston, Texas, and only his ninth career start in three seasons at SEMO, Russell buried the first of his two clutch 3-pointers to put the Redhawks ahead, 68-64, after KC made it a one-point game.

Then, following two free throws by Franck Kamgain which narrowed the Redhawks lead to 68-66 with 33 seconds to go, Russell delivered the final blow with his long range bomb as the shot clock expired giving SEMO a 71-66 advantage.

KC inbounded the ball with two seconds left and Russell intercepted the pass to end his impressive game-changing effort down the stretch.

SEMO led for all but 5:10 of the contest and was up, 37-31, at halftime.

Nebraska transfer Nana Akenten, who sat out the 2019-20 campaign due to NCAA Division I transfer regulations, scored 16 points off the bench in the game's opening 20 minutes.

Akenten made 6-of-8 field goals and nailed 4-of-6 threes in the first half. He then launched a desperation shot behind the midcourt line of approximately 54 feet that went off the glass and into the basket to cap his big half.

While Akenten scored just one point in the second stanza, it was Chris Harris (9) and Nolan Taylor (8) who combined for half of the Redhawks second-half points.

Harris converted a 4-point play with a little over six minutes remaining and Taylor made a nice shot down low to widen SEMO's lead to 62-52 at the 5:38 mark.

Harris led all scorers with a game-high 18 points. He shot 5-of-9 from the field, 3-of-6 from 3-point range and added five free throws in 35 minutes.

Akenten followed close behind with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. His four 3-pointers were a game-high, as well.

Russell added seven rebounds and scored the final eight points of the game, while Taylor chipped in 10 points and seven boards.

For the game, SEMO shot 48.8 percent (20-of-41) and knocked down 10 three-pointers (10-of-23) at a 43.5 percent clip. Additionally, the Redhawks were 21-of-35 at the free throw line.

"I was pleased with how much we got to the free throw line," commented Korn. 
 
Brandon McKissic led the Roos with 16 points.

For the first time in its NCAA Division I era (since 1991-92), SEMO won a season-opener outside of Cape Girardeau. The Redhawks improved to 11-19 all-time in their 30 years as a Division I program. SEMO also ended an 18-game losing streak away from home, picking up their first road victory since Feb. 16, 2019 (88-79, at Eastern Illinois).

SEMO returns to action when it hosts longtime rival Southern Illinois on Dec. 2. Tip-off for the Redhawks home-opener is set for 6:30 p.m., CT at the Show Me Center.