CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Phillip Russell scored 25 points and Israel Barnes added 23, but it wasn't enough as Purdue Fort Wayne (6-4) defeated Southeast Missouri (5-5), 86-66, Wednesday night at the Show Me Center.
 
SEMO started strong out of the gate scoring the first nine points of the contest.
 
Russell got the Redhawks going with back-to-back jumpers and Ohio Valley Conference Player and Newcomer of the Week Barnes followed with five points, including a 3-pointer to put the Redhawks ahead, 9-0, less than three minutes in.
 
After Russell's two free throws gave SEMO a 25-24 edge with 6:01 remaining, PFW countered with a 12-2 run to build a double-digit lead.
 
Quinton Morton-Robertson and Jarred Godfrey each knocked down a 3-pointer with Godfrey's make putting the Mastodons ahead, 37-26, at the 2:20 mark.
 
Godfrey went to the free throw line and made two shots to give PFW a 41-29 lead at the half.
 
The Mastodons shot 50 percent from the field with seven of their 13 field goals coming from downtown.
 
It was a two-possession game in the second half when PFW went on a 12-0 run to stretch its margin to 54-38. 
 
A 3-pointer by Morton-Robertson extended the Mastodons lead to 23 (61-38), their largest of the night.
 
PFW didn't let its lead drop below 17 points the rest of the way.
 
Russell made 7-of-19 field goals, drained a pair of 3-pointers and hit 9-of-10 free throws. He dished out six assists and had two steals, as well.
 
Barnes was 10-of-22 from the floor with three 3-pointers. He scored over 20 points for the third-straight game.
 
Kobe Clark scored seven points to go along with 11 rebounds.
 
PFW finished just under 50 percent (49.1) from the field. The Mastodons made 13 three-pointers and 20 free throws.
 
Godfrey led four PFW players in double figures with 19 points.
 
SEMO was without Chris Harris, Adam Larson and Aquan Smart. Harris and Larson were out due to illness and Smart did not play due to a concussion.
 
The Redhawks head to Arkansas State after a one-week layoff on Dec. 14.