Southeast Missouri (5-7) at California Baptist (8-3)
Game Information
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Tip-Off: 9 p.m., CT
Location: Riverside, Calif.
Facility: CBU Events Center (5,050)
Series: First Meeting
Head Coaches: Brad Korn (16-23 overall,16-23 at SEMO; 9-11 OVC). Rick Croy (182-63 overall; 182-63 at California Baptist.
Follow the Redhawks
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: CBULancers.com
Twitter: @SEMOMBB
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri (PDF)
Redhawks Wrap Up Non-Conference Play
Southeast Missouri (5-7) concludes non-conference play when it heads to California Baptist (8-3) Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m., CT at CBU Events Center.
Follow the Redhawks
Listen live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM with Erik Sean handling the play-by-play duties. Video can be accessed at ESPN+ and live stats are available at CBULancers.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOMBB.
Final Non-Conference Tilt
Tuesday's matchup with California Baptist is Southeast Missouri's final non-conference game of the season. It marks the end of a four-game road streak against non-league foes. After Tuesday, the Redhawks break for nine days before starting Ohio Valley Conference play at rival Murray State (Dec. 30). SEMO's five-game road stretch is the longest under Head Coach Brad Korn.
Happy Holidays
Southeast Missouri heads to California Baptist for its final game before the Christmas holiday. SEMO, which meets CBU for the first time this week, plays the Lancers on the back end of a two-game California swing. The Redhawks fell to Pepperdine, 83-77, Saturday. CBU is the 14th different NCAA Division I school out of California that SEMO faces.
California Rundown
Southeast Missouri is 8-8 all-time against NCAA Division I California schools. SEMO has played Pepperdine (0-1), Cal State Bakersfield (0-1), Cal State Fullerton (0-1), Cal State Northridge (1-0), Cal State Riverside (2-1), Santa Barbara (1-0), Loyola Marymount (0-2), Sacramento State (2-0), San Diego (0-1), San Francisco (1-0), San Jose State (1-0) and Santa Clara (0-1). Prior to this year, the Redhawks last made a trip to California during the 2019-20 campaign. That season, SEMO played Cal State Fullerton and Santa Clara at the Cable Car Classic in Santa Clara.
Matchup Notes
Southeast Missouri and California Baptist meet for the first time in midweek action Tuesday. CBU, which is a member of the Western Athletic Conference, is in its NCAA Division I reclassification stage. The Lancers began their transition to Division I in 2018-19 following five successful seasons at the NCAA Division II level.
California Connections
Southeast Missouri assistant Dustin Yoder returns to the state he once coached. Before joining the Redhawks staff, Yoder spent two seasons as associate head coach at Cal State San Bernardino, an NCAA Division II affiliate in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Nolan Taylor, who has not played this year, played two seasons at Pepperdine. Taylor started 20 of 24 games as a freshman for the Waves in 2016-17. Meanwhile, forward Chase Thompson has family that resides in Riverside, including his older brother, Alex.
Russell Dazzles Again
Point guard Phillip Russell dropped in a career-best 25 points, including 20 in the second half at Pepperdine (Dec. 18). Russell shot 9-of-14 from the field and knocked down a season-high four 3-pointers. He also matched a season-best four steals. Russell picked up his third 20-point game of the season.
Welcome Back Sam
After missing eight games with an ankle sprain, Sam Thompson made a nice return at Pepperdine (Dec. 18). Thompson scored 13 points on a near-perfect 6-of-6 field goals in 23 minutes off the bench. He added three rebounds, as well in his first double-digit scoring performance as a Redhawk.
I Double Dare You
Nygal Russell collected his team-high second double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds at Pepperdine (Dec. 18). Russell shot 5-of-9 from the field with three of his makes coming from 3-point range. He averaged 10.7 rebounds in his last three games alone and increased his season rebounding average by 1.3 points (6.1 to 7.4) during that span. Russell leads the Redhawks and ranks fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference in rebounding.
Last Time Out
Southeast Missouri shot 52.6 percent from the field and 60 percent in the second half in a close 83-77 loss to Pepperdine (Dec. 18). Down 35-30 at halftime, the Redhawks scored on seven-straight possessions to open the second half. As a result, SEMO used a 16-2 run to build a 46-37 lead, its largest of the game. PU, however, later answered with a 19-2 run of its own and that was the difference. The Redhawks were within two possessions of catching the Waves a total of seven times in the final 1:09.
Strong Shooting
For the third time this season, Southeast Missouri shot over 50 percent when it made 30-of-57 field goals at a 52.6 percent clip at Pepperdine (Dec. 18). The .526 mark is SEMO's second-best field goal percentage of the season. The Redhawks also shot 57.1 percent at Missouri State (Nov. 9) and 51.9 percent vs. Evansville (Dec. 8). SEMO lost for the first time this season when it shot over 50 percent from the floor (at Pepperdine).
See You Next Year
The Redhawks posted a thrilling 75-73 win over Missouri Valley Conference member Evansville (Dec. 8) in its final home game of 2021. Southeast Missouri won't be in Cape Girardeau again until it hosts Austin Peay on New Year's Day.
Redhawks Second in the OVC in Free Throw Percentage
Southeast Missouri is second in the Ohio Valley Conference with a .749 free throw percentage. SEMO made 167-of-223 free throws through its first 12 games this season. The Redhawks also attempted an average of 18.5 free throws per game during that stretch. SEMO has made (167) and attempted (223) more free throws than anyone else in the league thus far. Three Redhawks, including Chris Harris (3rd, .791), Eric Reed, Jr. (6th, .775) and Phillip Russell (8th, .740) are among the top 10 free throw shooters in the OVC.
On the Road
Southeast Missouri lost three-straight road games and is 2-5 outside of Cape Girardeau this season. SEMO holds a 2-3 record in true road contests.
Every Game Starter
Phillip Russell is the only player who has started every game for the Redhawks this season. Russell enters the week as Southeast Missouri's second-leading scorer with 14.4 points a game. He has scored double figures in 10 of his starts and ranks third in the Ohio Valley Conference with a .453 (24-of-53) three-point field goal percentage.
20 in a Row
Nygal Russell has made 20-consecutive free throws dating back to last season. Russell last missed a free throw at Eastern Illinois on Feb. 25, 2021. He is a perfect 13-of-13 at the free throw line this year as the only Redhawk who hasn't missed a free throw.
20-Point Games
Redhawk players have accounted for six 20-point scoring games this season. Eric Reed, Jr. scored 21 points at Missouri State (Nov. 9), 23 at Incarnate Word (Nov. 26) and 26 vs. Webster (Dec. 4), while Phillip Russell poured in 21 points vs. Montana State (Nov. 28), 24 vs. Evansville (Dec. 8) and 25 at Pepperdine (Dec. 18). Reed, Jr. has a team-high six 20-point games in his career.
Starting Combinations
The Redhawks have used six different starting combinations through 12 games this year. Manny Patterson, Phillip Russell, Chris Harris, DQ Nicholas and Eric Reed, Jr. marked the sixth lineup when they took the court at Purdue Fort Wayne (Dec. 11). P. Russell, N. Russell, Reed, Jr., Dylan Branson and Patterson are 2-3 in five contests.
Shooting 3s
Southeast Missouri is shooting an average of 23 three-pointers per game this season. SEMO attempted a season-high 32 three-pointers vs. Webster (Dec. 4). The Redhawks 10 three-pointers made at Incarnate Word (Nov. 26), vs. Portland (Nov. 27) and at Pepperdine (Dec. 18) are their most in a game in 2021-22.
Multiple Threes
Phillip Russell buried multiple 3-pointers in nine of his last 12 starts. Russell finished with a season-high four 3-pointers made at Pepperdine (Dec. 18). His 24 three-pointers made lead the team. Eric Reed, Jr., who drained 23 treys this year, has posted two or more on seven occasions. His season-best is five made 3-pointers vs. Webster (Dec. 4).
Free Throw Difference
Opponents have shot 61 more free throws than Southeast Missouri through 12 games this year. As a result, opponents are outscoring the Redhawks by a +52 (219-167) margin at the charity stripe.
About California Baptist
California Baptist heads into Tuesday's contest with an overall record of 8-3. CBU is an undefeated 8-0 at home this season. The Lancers are coming off an 84-60 loss to No. 6 Arkansas (Dec. 18). CBU's roster has players from England, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Mexico in addition to the United States. Taran Armstrong ranks second in the nation with 86 assists and is CBU's second leading scorer with 11.7 points a game. He is a rising freshman point guard that is already turning heads among NBA Draft scouts. Daniel Aken tops the Lancers with 12.6 points per game, while Reed Nottage (10.9 ppg) is CBU's other player averaging double figures in the scoring column. The Lancers lead the Western Athletic Conference in field goal percentage (.488) and assists (19.3 per game). CBU has the league's best assist/turnover ratio, as well.
Balanced Attack
Three or more players have scored double figures for Southeast Missouri a total of 10 times this season. SEMO is 5-5 when at least three of its players reach double figures in the scoring column.
