Southeast Missouri (9-15, 7-11 OVC) at Eastern Illinois (9-16, 6-12 OVC)

Game Information
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2021
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m., CT
Location: Charleston, Ill.
Arena: Lantz Arena (5,300)
Series: SEMO leads, 31-26
Last Meeting: SEMO 75, EIU 44 (Jan. 30, 2021 | Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Head Coaches: Brad Korn (9-15 overall, 9-15 at SEMO; 7-11 OVC). Jay Spoonhour (225-187 overall; 119-155 at EIU).

Follow the Redhawks
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Clint Allen)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: EIUPanthers.com
Twitter: @SEMOMBB
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri (PDF)

Redhawks Head to Eastern Illinois 
Southeast Missouri (9-15, 7-11) travels to Eastern Illinois (9-16, 6-12) Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m., CT at Lantz Arena.

Follow the Redhawks
Listen live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM with Clint Allen handling the play-by-play. Watch on ESPN+. Live stats are available at EIUPanthers.com. Twitter updates provided @SEMOMBB.

Series History
Southeast Missouri and Eastern Illinois meet for the 58th time Thursday. SEMO owns a 31-26 lead in the all-time series. If the Redhawks win, they will complete their second Ohio Valley Conference series sweep of the season.

Win and You're In
With one more win, Southeast Missouri will clinch a spot in this year's eight-team Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The Redhawks have not made the league's postseason fling since it has been in Evansville, Indiana. SEMO's last OVC Tournament appearance was in 2017.

OVC Tournament Field
Six of the eight spots are set for next week's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament scheduled for Mar. 3-6 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. Belmont, Morehead State, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Austin Peay and Murray State have punched their tickets. Southeast Missouri, Eastern Illinois, SIU Edwardsville and UT Martin are fighting for the last two spots entering the final week of regular-season play.

Oh the Scenarios
If Southeast Missouri and Eastern Illinois are tied at 8-12 or 7-13 (assuming EIU beats SEMO Thursday), they will split their season series at 1-1. Neither would have beaten Belmont, Morehead State or Jacksonville State. The tiebreaker would go to the Redhawks in this case based on the teams' records against EKU (SEMO, 1-1; EIU, 0-2). If SEMO and UT Martin are tied at 7-13 (assuming UTM wins out, SEMO loses out), UTM beat SEMO twice and would be the higher seed. If SEMO, UTM and EIU are all tied at 7-13 (assuming UTM wins out, EIU goes 1-1 in losing to UTM and beating SEMO, and SEMO loses out), SIU Edwardsville would go 1-1, finish at 7-12 and be the No. 7 seed. If the Redhawks lose out and EIU splits, they will make the tournament in that scenario. SEMO can finish no higher than seventh. 

Reed, Jr. Tabbed OVC Co-Newcomer of the Week
Junior guard Eric Reed, Jr. picked up Southeast Missouri's first Ohio Valley Conference honor in 2020-21 when he was named the league's Co-Newcomer of the Week on Feb. 22. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Reed, Jr. had another big week for SEMO, this time leading the Redhawks to a pair of key home victories. He averaged 19 points, five rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in two starts. Reed, Jr. dropped in a season-high 22 points and drained five 3-pointers, while shooting 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the field in SEMO's 86-81 overtime victory over Austin Peay (Feb. 16). Four days later, he finished with 16 points and a season-best six assists in the Redhawks 94-72 rout of Eastern Kentucky. For the week, Reed, Jr. shot 56 percent (14-of-25) from the field and 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from 3-point range. Additionally, he scored double figures in three-straight games and five of his last seven starts. Reed, Jr. won SEMO's first OVC Newcomer of the Week accolade in over two years. Skyler Hogan was the last to win the honor on Dec. 10, 2018. Tennessee State's Mark Freeman (Player), Jacksonville State's Darian Adams (Co-Newcomer), Morehead State's Johni Broome (Co-Freshman) and Eastern Kentucky's Curt Lewis (Co-Freshman) rounded out the week's honorees.

Redhawks in Seventh
The Redhawks are seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference standings heading into the final week of the regular-season. Southeast Missouri moved to seventh following its win over Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 20. The Redhawks (7-11), SIU Edwardsville (6-11), Eastern Illinois (6-12) and UT Martin (5-13) are in the hunt for the final two OVC Tournament spots.

Last Time Out
Chris Harris scored 15 points and Nana Akenten added 13 as Southeast Missouri dropped its home finale to Eastern Kentucky, 87-65, Monday afternoon at the Show Me Center. Forty-eight hours after EKU suffered a 22-point loss to SEMO in Cape Girardeau, the Colonels beat the Redhawks by the same margin to force a split in the season series. The Colonels outscored the Redhawks, 42-18, from 3-point range shooting 50.8 percent (31-of-61) from the field and 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from downtown. SEMO led for less than two minutes in the contest.

About Eastern Illinois
Like Southeast Missouri, Eastern Illinois also recently picked up a couple of big wins to keep their Ohio Valley Conference Tournament hopes alive. EIU carries a two-game winning streak into Thursday's matchup after winning at Murray State (68-59) on Feb. 18 and Austin Peay (76-69) on Feb. 20. Marvin Johnson leads EIU and ranks seventh in the OVC with 15.1 points a game. The Panthers (68.7) are just behind the Redhawks (68.8) in the OVC in scoring offense. 

In Position to Sweep the Panthers
The Redhawks 75-44 win over Eastern Illinois on Jan. 30 was their second-largest in 57 meetings with the Panthers. Southeast Missouri took control of the game early and never let up. SEMO man-handled the Panthers in points in the paint (32-2), points off turnovers (20-6), second chance points (17-3) and fast break points (12-0). If the Redhawks win Thursday, they will complete their third sweep of EIU in four years.

Heating Up at the Right Time
Southeast Missouri won to of its last three games and sets to make its final push for an Ohio Valley Conference Tournament spot in the last stretch of the regular-season this week. The Redhawks beat Austin Peay, 86-81, in overtime on Feb. 16 and cruised to a 94-72 win over Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 20. SEMO averaged 90 points per game in those victories. The last time SEMO averaged 90 or more points per game in consecutive Ohio Valley Conference home matchups was 2014-15. That year, the Redhawks scored 98 in a win over UT Martin (Feb. 12) and 92 in a loss to Murray State (Feb. 14) for a 95 points per game average.

Redhawks Demolish Eastern Kentucky
The Redhawks dominated their first matchup with Eastern Kentucky from start to finish en route to a 94-72 win on Feb. 20. Southeast Missouri played relentless defense the entire way and shot a blistering 62.1 percent from the field in the first half alone. Ten Redhawks made their way into the scoring column as everyone had a hand in dealing EKU its largest loss of the season. Chris Harris led the way with 18 points, Eric Reed, Jr. followed with 16, Nana Akenten had 15 and Nygal Russell chipped in 13.

Big Halftime Lead
Southeast Missouri enjoyed its largest halftime lead of the season when it led Eastern Kentucky, 50-24, on Feb. 20. It was the Redhawks largest halftime lead in an Ohio Valley Conference game since they were ahead of Austin Peay, 65-30, on Feb. 28, 2013 (Clarksville, Tenn.). The 50 first-half points are SEMO's most in any half of basketball this year.

Six New Season-Bests
The Redhawks established five new season-highs in their dominating 94-72 win over Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 20). Southeast Missouri reached those marks in points (94), field goal percentage (.583), 3-point field goal percentage (.560), points in a half (50), assists (26) and 3-pointers made (14).

Reed, Jr. on a Roll
Eric Reed, Jr. score double figures in three of his last four starts. Reed, Jr. scored 21 points at Austin Peay (Feb. 13), a season-high 22 vs. Austin Peay (Feb. 16) and 16 vs. Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 20). He shot 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from 3-point range over that stretch. Reed, Jr. is Southeast Missouri's second-leading scorer with 10.2 points a game.

Senior Farewell
Southeast Missouri honored seniors Nolan Taylor and Evan Morrison prior to tip-off of its game vs. Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 20. Taylor did not play due to a knee injury and Morrison knocked down a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left in that contest.

Redhawks Gaining Momentum
The Redhawks snapped a three-game losing streak with their win over Austin Peay (Feb. 16) and have since won two of three. Southeast Missouri is at nine victories in 2020-21, a +2 improvement in the win column from 2019-20 (7-23). The Redhawks also upped their number of Ohio Valley Conference wins to seven after winning only three conference games in 2019-20.

Over 80 Points
Southeast Missouri scored over 80 points for the fourth time this year when it put up its season-high 94 vs. Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 20). The Redhawks won all four of their games where they surpassed 80 points.

Love and Taylor Update
Jordan Love (Achilles) missed Southeast Missouri's last four games and Nolan Taylor (knee) was out for two games before returning to play just two minutes vs. Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 22). Love and Taylor's status for Thursday is undetermined at this time.

Homecourt Success
Seven of Southeast Missouri's nine wins have come at the Show Me Center this season. The Redhawks beat Lipscomb, 82-77, on Dec. 7, Tennessee State, 83-79, in double overtime on Jan. 2, SIU Edwardsville, 64-62, on Jan. 28,  Eastern Illinois, 75-44, on Jan. 30, Tennessee Tech, 68-64, on Feb. 4, Austin Peay, 86-81, in overtime on Feb. 16 and Eastern Kentucky, 94-72, on Feb. 20. The Redhawks 7-6 home record this year is their best since going 10-4 in 2016-17. 

Largest Victory
The Redhawks put together a complete game 75-44 victory over Eastern Illinois (Jan. 30). Southeast Missouri won a game by double figures for the first time this season. The 31-point victory marked the first time SEMO won an Ohio Valley Conference home game by more than 30 points since 2016-17. SEMO beat Eastern Kentucky, 81-48, on Dec. 31 that year.

Dominating the Glass
In its win over Eastern Illinois (Jan. 30), Southeast Missouri outrebounded the Panthers, 50-25. SEMO's +25 rebounding margin was its largest in an Ohio Valley Conference game since it outrebounded Austin Peay, 50-26 (+24) at home on Jan. 26, 2012.

Nine NCAA Division I Wins 
Southeast Missouri picked up its ninth NCAA Division I win this season with its 94-72 victory over Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 20). SEMO surpassed its number of wins (5) over NCAA Division I teams a year ago by a +4 margin. The nine Division I wins are SEMO's most in a season since it had 12 in 2017-18.

On the Road
Southeast Missouri is 1-9 in true road games this year. SEMO has lost 26 of its last 27 road games dating back to the 2018-19 campaign.

First Road Win
Southeast Missouri picked up its first true road victory of the Brad Korn era when it defeated Tennessee State, 63-59, in the only Ohio Valley Conference game played Tuesday. The Redhawks ended a 23-game losing streak in true road games. SEMO's last true road win came at Eastern Illinois (88-79) on Feb. 23, 2019.

Season Sweep
With its 63-59 win on Jan. 19, Southeast Missouri completed a two-game sweep of Tennessee State this season. The Redhawks won both games by four points. SEMO defeated TSU, 83-79, in double overtime on Jan. 2 (Cape Girardeau) before winning in Nashville this week. It was the first time SEMO beat the Tigers twice in a season since 1998-99. 

Leading at Halftime
The Redhawks have either led or been tied at halftime in 13 of their 24 games this season. Southeast Missouri held a 35-33 edge at the intermission at Ohio Valley Conference leader Belmont (Jan. 7). It was the first time SEMO led at the half in 10 meetings with the Bruins. Six of the the Redhawks nine wins have come when they led at the half this year.

Close Games
Southeast Missouri, which has been outscored by a tight 3.2 margin, dropped three contests in overtime and one on a last second shot since its 2020-21 campaign began on Nov. 28. SEMO has lost seven times by double figures (77-66, at Belmont, Jan. 7; 64-50, vs. Morehead State, Jan. 16; 76-65 at Morehead State, Jan. 21; 77-60 vs. Murray State, Feb. 1; 66-54 vs. Jacksonville State; 80-60 at Murray State, Feb. 12; 78-63 at Austin Peay, Feb. 13) and won six games by no more than five points. SEMO also dropped three games by three points or less. Additionally, the Redhawks been involved in nine games decided by no more than five points.

Top Scorer
Chris Harris scored double figures for the 16th time in 22 starts this season when he finished with 18 points vs. Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 20). Harris, who leads Southeast Missouri and ranks 17th in the Ohio Valley Conference with 12.5 points a game, has scored over 20 points twice this year. He also ranks third on the team with 33 three-pointers made. Harris finished as SEMO's leading scorer eight times this year. 

Working Overtime
The Redhawks went to overtime five times this year. Southeast Missouri lost at home to Southern Illinois (87-79) on Dec. 2 and at Lipscomb (80-74) on Dec. 9. The Redhawks also fell to Evansville (66-63) on the road on Dec. 15, beat Tennessee State (83-79) at home on Jan. 2 and defeated Austin Peay (86-81) at home on Jan. 16. SEMO was involved in only one overtime game in 31 contests last season. SEMO's three overtimes against non-conference foes were the most in program history. The Redhawks last played five overtime games in a season during the 1997-98 campaign.