MARTIN, Tenn. – Phillip Russell scored a season-high 28 points and Southeast Missouri (6-10, 1-2) committed a season-low seven turnovers in a close 87-82 loss to UT Martin (10-6, 2-1) Thursday.
 
SEMO, down 72-53 with 8:51 remaining, came all the way back to get within two points.
 
The Redhawks were within two possessions on multiple occasions and managed to cut the Skyhawks lead to 84-82 on Russell's 3-pointer with 45 seconds to go.

On UTM's next possession, Koby Jeffries was fouled and made two free throws.
 
After a 3-pointer by Kobe Clark missed, Parker Stewart was fouled and split two free throws allowing the Skyhawks to hang on. The Redhawks missed two 3-pointers in the final 12 seconds.
 
The Redhawks couldn't keep UTM off the free throw line. The Skyhawks outscored SEMO, 30-9, at the charity stripe and that was the difference.
 
SEMO trailed, 26-23, in the first half when UTM went on a 13-4 run to build a double-digit lead at 39-27. Stewart scored five points, including two on a dunk that capped the surge at the 4:43 mark.
 
The Redhawks answered by scoring the next seven points. After Nate Johnson's jumper, Evan Eursher drained a 3-pointer. Johnson then scored again on a putback layup to cut the Skyhawks lead to 39-34 with 1:34 to go.
 
Israel Barnes got SEMO within four (40-36) 21 seconds later before UTM pulled ahead, 44-36, at the break.
 
SEMO scored half of its points from 3-point range in the opening stanza, where it went 6-of-18. UTM outscored the Redhawks, 11-0, at the free throw line in the game's opening 20 minutes.
 
Chris Harris' pullup 3-pointer narrowed UTM's lead to 46-40 less than a minute into the second half. After that, SEMO hit a cold spell for the next five minutes.
 
The Redhawks missed nine-straight shots and turned the ball over three times. 
 
Meanwhile, the Skyhawks capitalized with an 11-0 run and pushed their lead to 57-40 following two KJ Simon free throws with 14:44 remaining.
 
Josh Earley's jumper ended the Redhawks drought that lasted 4:55.
 
Russell made 9-of-20 field goals, with six of his makes coming from 3-point land. His career-high six 3-pointers made came during his fifth 20-point effort this season.

Barnes followed with 14 points and Harris pitched in 12. Clark, who did not play in the first half, contributed a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
SEMO edged UTM, 46-43, in the second half and matched a season-best 13 three-pointers made. The Redhawks never led in tonight's contest.
 
The Redhawks close out their two-game road swing at Little Rock Saturday. Tip is set for 3:30 p.m., CT at the Jack Stephens Center.