MARTIN, Tenn. – Nana Akenten scored 18 points and Southeast Missouri (4-10, 2-6) was within a point with a little over a minute left, but UT Martin (4-9, 2-7) hung on for a 69-66 win Tuesday night at the Elam Center.

UTM ended a nine-game losing streak, as both of its Ohio Valley Conference wins came against the Redhawks this year.

SEMO was again in striking distance down 67-66 with 1:23 to go. 

Nolan Taylor later went to the free throw line after Ajani Kennedy was charged with a flagrant 1 foul. As a result, Taylor was awarded two shots and the Redhawks would get the ball. Taylor, however, missed both of his attempts with 11 seconds remaining.

On the ensuing possession, Chris Harris drove the lane and UTM was initially called for a blocking foul. After the officials reviewed the play, the call was reversed and Harris was charged with an offensive foul instead.

DQ Nicholas fouled Kenton Eskridge, who made two free throws to seal the win with six seconds. 

SEMO had one last chance, but Akenten missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Both teams made six 3-pointers in a first half which resulted in a 32-32 deadlock.

Akenten led all scorers with 14 points and made four 3-pointers in the game's opening 20 minutes.

Down, 30-25, after Eman Sertovic buried a 3-pointer at the 3:21 mark, SEMO went on a 7-0 run and took a two-point edge when DQ Nicholas drove the lane for a layup with 1:14 left.

Jaron Williams made a stepback jumper to tie the game at the intermission.

The Skyhawks shot 50 percent (12-of-24) from the field in the first stanza with half of their makes from beyond the arc.

SEMO never led by more than three in the game and missed seven free throws. The Redhawks shot 58.8 percent (10-of-17) at the charity stripe.

The Redhawks shot a season-best 49 percent (24-of-49) from the field and outrebounded UTM, 30-23. 

Akenten shot 7-of-11 from the field and 4-of-7 from 3-point range to lead SEMO. He added seven rebounds, as well.

Harris followed with 12 points, while Nicholas pulled down a career-high nine rebounds.

The second-best free throw shooting team in the OVC, UTM shot 81.8 percent on 9-of-11 free throws. The Skyhawks complemented that shooting 50 percent (25-of-50) from the floor.

Williams led all scorers with a game-high 20 points, Kennedy chipped in 13 and Vinnie Viana contributed 12. Additionally, the Skyhawks dropped in 10 three-pointers.

SEMO opens a five-game homestand when it welcomes SIU Edwardsville Thursday.