Southeast Missouri (6-9, 1-1 OVC) at UT Martin (9-6, 1-1 OVC)

Game Information
Date: Thursday, January 5, 2023
Tip-Off: 8 p.m., CT
Location: Martin, Tenn.
Facility: Elam Center (4,300)
Series: SEMO leads, 45-32
Head Coaches: Brad Korn (31-43 overall; 31-43 at SEMO; 18-21 OVC). Ryan Ridder (160-101 overall; 17-28 at UTM; 5-15 OVC).

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

On the Road Again
Southeast Missouri (6-9, 1-1) makes a short trip to UT Martin (9-6, 1-1) Thursday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m., CT at the Elam Center.

Follow the Redhawks
Fans can listen live on the radio at Real Rock 99.3 FM. Erik Sean will be on the call. Video can be accessed at ESPN+. Live stats are available at UTMSports.com and Twitter updates will be provided @SEMOMBB.

Series History
Southeast Missouri and UT Martin, schools separated less than two hours apart, meet for the 78th time Thursday. SEMO leads the overall series by a count of 45-32. The teams split their home-and-home series a year ago. SEMO is looking to end a four-game losing skid against the Skyhawks in Martin. The last time the Redhawks won at the Elam Center was on Feb. 10, 2018 (81-77 in overtime).

Happy New Year!
The Redhawks look to ring in the New Year with a win for the second-straight season. Southeast Missouri beat Austin Peay, 86-84, at home to start the New Year on Jan. 1, 2022.

Redhawks End Skid
Southeast Missouri snapped a season-long eight-game losing streak with a big 82-73 win over then-Ohio Valley Conference leader SIU Edwardsville on Dec. 31. SEMO picked up its first win in December on the final day of 2022. It was the Redhawks first victory since they defeated Boston University, 63-52, in Milwaukee, Wisconson on Nov. 27.

OVC Home-Openers
With its win over SIU Edwardsville (Dec. 31), Southeast Missouri evened its record to 15-15 in Ohio Valley Conference home-openers. It marked Brad Korn's second-straight OVC home opening win
as the Redhawks head coach.

OVC Update
Eight of the 10 Ohio Valley Conference teams split their first two games of the conference season. First-place Eastern Illinois (2-0) is the lone undefeated team this young OVC campaign. Southeast Missouri, SIU Edwardsville, Tennessee State, UT Martin, Morehead State, Southern Indiana, Lindenwood and Little Rock are all 1-1 in league play entering Thursday's games.

Redhawks on the Road
Southeast Missouri is on the road for three of its first four Ohio Valley Conference matchups. SEMO dropped its conference opener at Southern Indiana (86-81, Dec. 29). This week, the Redhawks head to UT Martin (Jan. 5) and Little Rock (Jan. 7). SEMO is 3-7 and 2-6 (true road games) outside of Cape Girardeau this season.

Let's Get Another One
The Redhawks go for their second-straight win at UT Martin Thursday. Southeast Missouri is coming off an 82-73 home win over SIU Edwardsville (Dec. 31). SEMO last won back-to-back games when it beat William Woods (87-49, Nov. 22) and Boston (63-52, Nov. 26) in late November.

40-Minute Win
For the third time this season, Southeast Missouri led for the entire game en route to victory. SEMO led from start to finish in its latest 82-73 win over SIU Edwarsville (Dec. 31). The Redhawks also led both Lyon College (Nov. 12) and William Woods (Nov. 22) for all 40 minutes of play.

Branson Notches Career-High
Dylan Branson scored a career-high 14 points against SIU Edwardsville (Dec. 31). Branson shot a near-perfect 5-of-6 from the field and buried 2-of-3 three-pointers. He also added six rebound and three assists in a season-high 28 minutes. Branson, who netted 12 points two days earlier at Southern Indiana (Dec. 29), score double figures in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Harris is Rolling
Chris Harris moved to second on the team in scoring after pitching in 14 points vs. SIU Edwardsville (Dec. 31). Harris is now averaging 12.8 points per game through 14 games and 12 starts. He scored double figures in each of his last five contests and leads the Redhawks with 44 career double-digit scoring games.

Winning the Second Half
For the seventh time this season, Southeast Missouri won the second half when it outscored SIU Edwardsville, 45-41, on Dec. 31. SEMO is 5-2 in games where it outscores its opponent in the final 20 minutes. The Redhawks 55 points at Southern Indiana (Dec. 29) are their most in a second half through 15 games this year.

Battling Through It
Southeast Missouri played with a full roster for the second time this season vs. SIU Edwardsville (Dec. 31). SEMO had all 13 of its players active against the Cougars and at Southern Indiana (Dec. 29). The Redhawks were short-handed through their first 13 games, at times playing with three or more inactive players. SEMO also used seven different starting lineups in that span.

Russell Sees Doubles Again
After scoring six points at Southern Indiana (Dec. 29), his first game without double figures this season, Phillip Russell bounced back to lead Southeast Missouri with 19 points in its win over SIU Edwardsville (Dec. 31) two days later. Russell shot 6-of-15 from the field and made a perfect 6-of-6 free throws to go along with seven assists. He leads SEMO and ranks fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring with 15.7 points a game. Russell scored double figures in 14 of his 15 starts this year.

3-Pointer Streaks
Chris Harris has made a 3-pointer in 16-straight games dating back to the 2021-22 season. Phillip Russell drained a 3-pointer in 15-straight games, while Adam Larson has made a three in 11-consecutive contests. Russell leads Southeast Missouri with 32 three-pointers made, while Harris and Larson follow with 27 and 21, respectively.

Block Party
Kobe Clark is tied for first in the Ohio Valley Conference with 21 blocks in 15 games. Clark is averaging 1.4 swats per game and posted two or more on five occasions. He had a season-high five blocks vs. Boston (Nov. 26).

Veteran Milestones
Chris Harris went over 100 three-pointers made and 200 rebounds in his career this season. Harris presently has 105 threes and 205 rebounds as a Redhawk. He is two assists away from getting 200 in his career.

Rebounding Machine
Kobe Clark collected double-digit rebounds for the sixth time when he grabbed 10 vs. SIU Edwardsville (Dec. 31). Clark's season- high is 16 which came at Arkansas State (Dec. 14). He had 14 defensive rebounds in that game alone. Clark ranks third in the Ohio Valley Conference with 9.1 boards per game. He also ranks 25th in the nation in total rebounds (137).

137 or More Rebounds
Kobe Clark is one of 28 players in the nation with 137 or more rebounds at this point in the season. Clark was the first Ohio Valley Conference player to reach the century mark in rebounds this year. St. John's' Joel Soriano leads the nation with 183 boards.

About UT Martin
UT Martin, currently fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, has won five of its last six games. UTM is undefeated with an 8-0 record at home this year. The Skyhawks eight home victories are most in the OVC. As a team, UTM leads the conference in scoring (84.9 ppg), scoring margin (+11.3), field goal percentage (.469), rebounding offense (40.5 rpg), assists (16.6 apg), steals (9.4 spg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.4). Parker Stewart leads the league with 17.4 points a game. Stewart tops the OVC with 44 three- pointers made, as well.