UT Martin (7-16, 3-9 OVC) vs. Southeast Missouri (5-20, 1-11 OVC)
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2020
Tip-Off: 7:15 p.m., CT
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Arena: Show Me Center (7,000)
Series History: SEMO leads, 43-28
Last Meeting: UTM 81, SEMO 72 (Feb. 14, 2019 | Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Head Coaches: Rick Ray (85-160 overall; 48-100 at SEMO; 25-55 OVC). Anthony Stewart (51-69 overall; 51-69 at UTM; 24-40 OVC).
Media Coverage
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Glen Cantrell, Jess Bolen)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: GoSoutheast.com
Twitter: @SEMOMBB
Southeast Missouri Notes (PDF)
Redhawks Host UT Martin
Southeast Missouri (5-20, 1-11) hosts UT Martin (7-16, 3-9) Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7:15 p.m., CT, at the Show Me Center.
Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen to Thursday's game live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Erik Sean and Jess Bolen will call the action. Video is available at ESPN+. Live stats can be accessed at GoSoutheast.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOMBB.
Series History
Thursday marks the 72nd meeting between Southeast Missouri and UT Martin, schools which reside less than two hours apart. The Redhawks have won three of the last five games of the series and are 5-5 in their previous 10 meetings with the Skyhawks. SEMO and UTM went to overtime in two of the last four matchups with the Redhawks victorious in each of those games.
Caldwell Eyes 500
Guard Alex Caldwell is one point away from reaching 500 in his career. Caldwell, Southeast Missouri's leading scorer with 11.6 points per game this season, tops the Redhawks with 16 double-digit scoring performances in 2019-20. He will become the second player on this year's team to hit the career 500-point mark joining Skyler Hogan (516).
Last Time Out
Southeast Missouri dropped a close 62-60 decision in the final seconds against Tennessee Tech (Feb. 8). Dane Quest was fouled with one second on the shot clock and buried two free throws with five seconds left to give TTU the win. On SEMO's last possession, Alex Caldwell dribbled the ball to the right of the key, but didn't get a shot off when contact was made by multiple converging Golden Eagle defenders. Amadou Sylla later came up with the loose ball as time expired.
Redhawks Win!
Southeast Missouri ended a season-long 10-game losing streak with its first Ohio Valley Conference win over Jacksonville State (76-72) on Feb. 6. It was the Redhawks first OVC win since a 89-74 victory over Tennessee State on Feb. 28, 2019. SEMO also snapped a 15-game losing streak against NCAA Division I opponents.
A Look Ahead
Southeast Missouri plays three of its final six games at home. After Thursday's matchup with UT Martin, the Redhawks host SIU Edwardsville (Feb. 15) and Eastern Illinois (Feb. 27). SEMO also visits Jacksonville State (Feb. 20), Tennessee Tech (Feb. 22) and UT Martin (Feb. 29) during its final stretch of the season.
Close Games
Southeast Missouri has played six games this season that were decided by four points or less. The Redhawks are 3-3 in those contests.
Super Slam
Sage Tolbert scored 14 points against Jacksonville State (Feb. 6). Tolbert had five dunks in the game for 10 of his points. He leads the team with 12 dunks this year.
Strong to the Finish
The Redhawks shot a season-best 56.9 percent (29-of-51) from the field against Jacksonville State (Feb. 6). It marked the fourth time this season where the Redhawks shot 50 percent or better from the floor.
Russell Goes for New Career-High
Nygal Russell scored a career-high 21 points against Tennessee Tech (Feb. 8) becoming the third player to score 20 or more points in a game this season. Russell made 8-of-11 field goals and a perfect 4-of-4 three-pointers in 30 minutes off the bench. It marked the fifth time in his last eight games where Russell scored double figures.
All Twenty-Five
Forward Sage Tolbert is the only player who has started all 25 games for Southeast Missouri this year. Tolbert logged 33-consecutive starts dating back to last season.
About UT Martin
UT Martin is ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference standings with an overall record of 7-16 and 3-9 in conference play. The Skyhawks are 1-5 on the road in OVC action. UTM has also dropped seven of its last nine games. Parker Stewart is the league's second-leading scorer with 20 points a game. Stewart, the son of head coach Anthony Stewart, is averaging 21.6 points per game against OVC foes. Quinin Dove is also averaging over 20 points per contest (20.8) in league action for the Skyhawks.
