CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri (13-14, 8-6) scored a season-low 59 points in a 65-59 loss to Ohio Valley Conference leader Morehead State (17-10, 10-4) Saturday at the Show Me Center.
 
SEMO fell to its third-straight defeat and stays in a three-way tie for second in the OVC along with UT Martin and SIU Edwardsville.
 
Both teams shot the ball well from the start and MSU opened a 19-15 lead when it used a string of five made field goals in six attempts midway through the first half.
 
The Eagles later used an 11-0 run to widen their lead to 32-19 as SEMO went over four minutes without scoring. Trent Scott and Alex Gross each scored second-chance baskets before Jake Wolfe made a wide open layup at the 3:20 mark.
 
Phillip Russell made a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to end the drought cutting MSU's lead to 34-25 at the half.
 
SEMO's only lead in the first half came on a Chris Harris 3-pointer during the Redhawks opening possession of the game.
 
Both MSU and SEMO shot 45.5 percent from the floor. The Eagles outrebounded the Redhawks by a +10 margin (21-11) and dominated he offensive glass, 9-1, in the game's first 20 minutes.
 
The Eagles powered through to their halftime lead after losing their top scorer, Mark Freeman, to an ankle injury on the very first possession of the contest.
 
SEMO continued to struggle against MSU's defense in the second half missing 12 of its first 16 field goals. The Redhawks then found themselves down, 52-39, with 11:24 remaining.
 
The Redhawks, however, responded by scoring the next six points to get within seven. Aquan Smart scored all six of those points, including four at the free throw line to cut the Eagles lead to 52-45 at the 8:03 mark.
 
Smart kept attacking the Eagles and scored again. This time, Smart drove in for a layup, was fouled and converted his 3-point play to make it a six-point contest (59-53) with 4:00 left.
 
Two more free throws by Smart closed MSU's lead to 60-55 with 3:14 on the clock. After a Eagle miss, SEMO turned the ball over on its next possession.
 
Branden Maughmer capitalized off the miscue by making a jumper to put MSU up, 62-55, with 1:49 to go.
 
SEMO had more chances to cut into the Eagles lead during the final minute, but couldn't get closer than five. 
 
A jump ball gave the Redhawks possession and SEMO missed a layup. Jake Wolfe then missed two free throws and SEMO turned the ball over the next time it had the ball.
 
Maughmer made a layup to give the Eagles a 64-57 advantage with 19 seconds on the clock. Maughmer's free throw sealed it for good. SEMO scored just once on its final six possessions of the game.
 
Russell topped SEMO with 20 points, while Smart matched a season-high 14 points and made a perfect 8-of-8 free throws. The Redhawks shot 38.8 percent (19-of-49) from the field for the game.
 
MSU was led by Drew Thelwell's game-high 24 points. The Eagles finished with a 36-27 advantage on the boards.
 
The Redhawks continue their final home stand of the season when it hosts Eastern Illinois on  Feb. 16. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., CT at the Show Me Center. For tickets, call (573) 651-2113 or purchase online at SEMORedhawks.com/Tickets.