MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Phillip Russell scored a game-high 21 points to lead Southeast Missouri (5-1) to a 63-52 win over Boston University (4-2) Saturday afternoon in the opening game of the Cream City Classic.
 
Russell, who scored double figures for the sixth time this season, helped give SEMO its first 5-1 start since 1999-2000. 
 
SEMO, which did not have a field goal in the final 3:54 of the contest, made seven free throws in the last 1:08 to seal the victory.
 
After Jonas Harper's layup narrowed the Redhawks lead to 56-52, Chris Harris hit two free throws at the 1:08 mark to make it a two-possession game.
 
BU missed a 3-pointer on its ensuing possession and Russell was then fouled. He went to the line and knocked down both of his free throws to push SEMO's lead to 60-52 with 42 seconds on the clock.
 
Harris split two free throws before Dylan Branson followed with a pair of free throws of his own to put the Redhawks fifth victory on ice.
 
BU pulled to within three points twice with under eight minutes to go, but Russell answered with baskets. He made a jumper right after the Terriers were behind 43-40 and nailed a 3-pointer after BU trailed 45-42.
 
SEMO trailed 10-7 when it used a 15-0 run to take a double-digit lead in the first half. The Redhawks kept BU scoreless for over seven minutes and the Terriers missed 16 of 18 field goals while SEMO stretched its lead to 22-10.
 
Russell buried a 3-pointer to tie the game before Wisconsin native Adam Larson added a three of his own on SEMO's next possession. A Josh Mitchell layup increased the Redhawks margin to 10 before Aquan Smart's fast break layup closed out the jaunt with 7:35 left to play.
 
After going without a point for over five minutes, SEMO came out of its cold spell when Chris Harris drained a 3-pointer to put the Redhawks ahead, 28-18, at the half.
 
SEMO held BU to only 18 first-half points as the Terriers shot just 21.4 percent (6-of-28) from the field. It was a season low first half point total by any opponent against the Redhawks this year. SEMO posted its fourth halftime lead in six games.
 
Russell shot 6-of-15 from the field, made four 3-pointers and hit a near-perfect 5-of-5 free throws en route to the eighth 20-point game of his career. He also dished out six assists.
 
Harris followed with 12 points and added five free throws and seven rebounds, while Kobe Clark led the Redhawks with 12 boards, his third double-digit rebound game of 2022-23.
 
SEMO outrebounded BU, 43-32, and held a +5 advantage (16-11) at the charity stripe.
 
Eight of the nine Redhawks who played made their way into the scoring column.
 
The Redhawks, now 3-2 in mid-season tournament play under Head Coach Brad Korn, resume action vs. UC Davis Saturday.