Eastern Illinois (9-18, 5-9 OVC) vs. Southeast Missouri (13-14, 8-6 OVC)
Game Information
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2023
Tip-Off: 7 p.m., CT
Location: Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Facility: Show Me Center (7,000)
Series: SEMO leads, 35-26
Head Coaches: Brad Korn (38-48 overall; 38-48 at SEMO; 25-26 OVC). Marty Simmons (296-292 overall; 14-44 at EIU; 8-24 OVC).
Follow the Redhawks
Radio: Real Rock 99.3 FM (Erik Sean)
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: SEMORedhawks.com
Twitter: @SEMOMBB
Game Notes: Southeast Missouri (PDF)
Redhawks Continue Homestand
Southeast Missouri (13-14, 8-6) resumes its three-game homestand when it hosts Eastern Illinois (9-18, 5-9) Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., CT at the Show Me 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 SEMORedhawks.com and Twitter updates will be provided @SEMOMBB. For tickets, call (573) 651-2113 or purchase online at SEMORedhawks.com/Tickets.
Series History
Southeast Missouri holds a 35-26 lead in its all-time series against Eastern Illinois. SEMO has won five-straight games vs. EIU and nine of the last 11 matchups between the teams. The Redhawks go for their third-straight season sweep of the Panthers Thursday. SEMO beat EIU, 79-68, on Jan. 28 in Charleston, Illinois.
OVC Picture
The Redhawks are in a five-way tie for second in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. Southeast Missouri, SIU Edwardsville, Tennessee Tech, UT Martin and Tennessee State all have 8-6 records in league play. Three of SEMO's final four conference games involve opponents that are below the Redhawks in the standings. Those include Eastern Illinois, Southern Indiana and Lindenwood.
Harris Approaching 1,000 Points
Chris Harris, Southeast Missouri's second-leading scorer with 13.8 points per game this season, is 17 away from reaching 1,000 in his career. Harris presently has 983 points and an 11.7 ppg average as a Redhawk. If he accomplishes the feat, Harris will become the 25th member of SEMO's 1,000-point club.
OVC Leading Scorer
Southeast Missouri has the top scorer in the Ohio Valley Conference. Phillip Russell is first in the league in scoring with 19 points per game. Russell has scored a total of 494 points so far this season. He scored double figures in 25 of his 26 starts. Along the way, Russell 20 or more points 10 times and 30 or more points on three occasions in 2022-23.
Three-Game Setback
The Redhawks are looking to end a three- game losing streak after dropping a pair of road games at Tennessee Tech (82-80, Feb. 4) and Tennessee State (85-65, Feb. 9), and falling at home to Ohio Valley Conference leader Morehead State (65-59, Feb. 11).
Final Home Stretch
Southeast Missouri is in its final homestand of the season. After Thursday's matchup, the Redhawks host Southern Indiana (Feb. 18) in their last game at the Show Me Center this year.
Last Time Out
Against the Ohio Valley Conference's top scoring defense, Southeast Missouri finished with a season-low 59 points in a 65-59 loss to league leader Morehead State (Feb. 11). SEMO was outrebounded, 36-29, and had just five assists in the contest. Phillip Russell led the Redhawks with 20 points as SEMO split its two-game series with the Eagles.
8-6 in the OVC
Southeast Missouri is 8-6 with four games left this season. The Redhawks are working toward a winning record in OVC play for the first time since 2016-17 (9-7). SEMO is 25-26 in league play with Korn at the helm.
What's Left
After Thursday's contest, Southeast Missouri hosts Southern Indiana (Feb. 18) in its final home games before closing out the regular-season at Lindenwood (Feb. 23) and SIU Edwardsville (Feb. 25).
Smart Delivers
Aquan Smart matched his career-high of 14 points against Morehead State (Feb. 11). Smart made a perfect 8-of-8 free throws in that game. It was his fourth double- digit scoring game this year.
Top of the OVC
Southeast Missouri leads the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring (80.1 ppg), field goal percentage (.456) and turnover margin (+2.0) in league games. SEMO scored over 80 points in 10 of its OVC contests. The Redhawks are also forcing a league- high 14.6 turnovers a game in OVC action.
About Eastern Illinois
After losing six in a row, Eastern Illinois regrouped to win both of its games last week beating UT Martin, 77-75, at home on Feb. 9 and SIU Edwardsville, 84-73, on the road on Feb. 11. Cape Girardeau native Kinyon Hodges is EIU's top scoring threat with 14 points a game. Hodges is the only player averaging double figures in the scoring column this season. He did not play in the first meeting between SEMO and EIU on Jan. 28. The Panthers are last in the Ohio Valley Conference in free throw percentage (.635), rebounding margin (-4.3) and 3-pointers made (5.3 per game). EIU, however, leads the league in assists (14.4 apg), steals (8.4 spg) and turnover margin (+1.96).
