CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri (9-14, 7-10) honored its seniors by demolishing Eastern Kentucky (18-6, 12-5) from start to finish in a 94-72 rout Saturday at the Show Me Center.

SEMO, which scored over 80 points in its second-straight win, established new season-highs in points, points in a half (50), field goal percentage (.583), assists (26) and 3-point field goal percentage (.560) and 3-point field goals made (14).

The Redhawks also enjoyed their largest halftime lead (50-24, +26) since 2013 when it led Austin Peay, 65-30, at the intermission on the road (Feb. 28).

SEMO played relentless defense the entire way and shot a blistering 62.1 percent from the field in the first half alone. The Redhawks drained seven 3-pointers for 21 of their first 50 points.

Ahead, 22-15, SEMO put together a 12-2 run to take a 17-point lead. Nana Akenten buried a 3-pointer during the stretch that ended when Eric Reed, Jr. nailed a 3-pointer, was fouled and converted a 4-point play to give the Redhawks a 34-17 lead with 5:48 in the first half.

Manny Patterson's two free throws pushed SEMO's lead over 20 points and the Redhawks later ended the half by scoring seven unanswered points to extend their lead to 50-24 at the intermission.

Eight of the nine Redhawks who played in the first half scored. Reed, Jr. and Harris each pitched in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the opening stanza.

SEMO's largest lead of the night was 28 (83-55) on Akenten's 3-pointer with 5:07 left to play.

EKU led only once in the game 5:03 into the contest.

Ten of 11 Redhawks made their way into the scoring column as everyone had a hand in SEMO dealing EKU its largest loss of the season.

Chris Harris led the way with 18 points and knocked down four 3-pointers. Reed, Jr. followed with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Akenten drained a season-best five 3-pointers and finished with 15 points and six boards, while Nygal Russell chipped in 13 points off the bench. 

DQ Nicholas contributed eight points, seven rebounds and seven assists, as well.

And, senior walk-on Evan Morrison sent the Show Me Center crowd into a frenzy when he buried a three with less than a minute to go. Morrison and graduate senior Nolan Taylor were recognized prior to tip-off. Taylor did not play due to a knee injury.

SEMO made 35-of-60 field goals and 14-of-25 treys. The Redhawks assisted on all but nine of their made field goals. SEMO outrebounded the Colonels, 47-28, for a +19 margin
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With its victory over EKU tonight, the Redhawks moved up one spot to seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference standings with three games remaining.

SEMO and EKU meet again for a 2 p.m., CT matinee in Cape Girardeau Monday.