NORMAL, Ill. – Adam Larson made five 3-pointers and scored 16 points as Southeast Missouri (4-8) dropped a 85-64 decision to Missouri Valley Conference member Illinois State (8-4) Thursday night.
 
Larson finished with double figures for his team-high seventh time this season. 
 
SEMO used a nice balance of offense and defense to key a strong surge early. 
 
The Redhawks made four of their first seven field goals and forced six turnovers in the game's opening 8:15. Larson gave SEMO momentum when he knocked down a 3-pointer on each of the Redhawks first two possessions.
 
Aided by a 6-0 run, SEMO took an 18-12 lead. Aquan Smart converted a 3-point play and Larson added a free throw to close out that stretch. That, however, would be the final time the Redhawks would lead in the game.
 
Johnny Kinzinger's jumper snapped a drought which saw ISU go scoreless for over four minutes. Kinzinger sparked an initial 10-0 run for the Redbirds who took control by outscoring the Redhawks, 30-10, in the final 10:27 of the first half.
 
ISU later led by as many as 26 with 5:35 left in the second half before coming away with its eight victory of the season.  
 
Larson shot 5-of-7 from the field and 1-of-2 at the free throw line. He also had four rebounds and two steals in 27 minutes. Braxton Stacker chipped in 11 points as SEMO's other double-digit scorer.
 
The Redhawks shot just 25 percent (6-of-24) from 3-point range and 39.7 percent (23-of-58) for the night. 
 
Burford led all scorers with a game-high 22 points and Lewis contributed 18 points and nine rebounds to pace ISU. The Redbirds outscored the Redhawks, 23-12, at the free throw line.
 
SEMO will take an eight-day break for the Christmas holiday before opening Ohio Valley Conference play at home against Southern Indiana on Dec. 29.