CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri (1-1) fell victim to a big second half run and couldn't recover in a 97-79 loss to Youngstown State (1-1) Saturday at the Show Me Center.

SEMO held a 39-37 lead at halftime, but things quickly slipped away from the Redhawks in the final 20 minutes.

Down, 54-52, following a free throw by Eric Reed, Jr. with 13:16 remaining in the game, YSU went on a 15-0 run to build a 17-point advantage (69-52). Garrett Covington contributed five points to help key the surge.

The Penguins took their largest lead at 84-60 when Luke Chicone converted a 3-point play at the 5:34 mark. SEMO didn't get YSU's lead lower than 18 points the rest of the way.

DQ Nicholas scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half, where SEMO's largest lead was 37-32 with 2:27 to go. Nygal Russell's two free throws gave the Redhawks that five-point advantage.

Reed, Jr. and Nicholas paced SEMO with 17 points each, while Russell added a double-double 11 points and 11 rebounds. For Russell, it was the first double-double of his career. Phillip Russell scored 11 points for his first double-digit game as a Redhawk.

YSU had all five of its starters score double figures. Tevin Olison poured in 27 points, Covington followed with 18, Michael Akuchie had 16, S. Rathan-Mayes finished with 15 and Dwyane Cohill chipped in 10.

The Penguins shot 60.6 percent (20-of-33) in the second half alone.

Combined, the teams were called for 56 fouls and shot 72 free throws. YSU made 28-of-36 (.778) and SEMO hit 25-of-35 (.714) at the charity stripe.

Additionally, YSU outrebounded SEMO, 43-33, and had just seven turnovers.

SEMO fell to 23-8 all-time in home-openers since joining the NCAA Division I ranks.

The Redhawks remain home to host Arkansas State on Nov. 19.