CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri (9-10, 4-4) scored a season-low 55 points in a 68-55 setback to SIU Edwardsville (11-8, 4-4) Saturday in Ohio Valley Conference action at the Show Me Center.
 
SEMO fell to its third-straight loss after another slow start put the Redhawks behind by double figures early.
 
The Redhawks missed their first six field goals and came up empty on nine of their first 10 shots.
 
Meanwhile, SIUE capitalized with a 17-5 run and later led, 31-12, on Jack Champion's 3-pointer with 5:26 left in the first half.
 
Champion connected from 3-point range again, this time pushing SIUE's lead to 36-12 at the 3:09 mark.
 
The Cougars headed into the locker room ahead, 43-21, following Champion's two free right before the intermission.
 
SEMO shot just 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from the field in the opening stanza.
 
The Redhawks played much better in the second half and shot over 52 percent (12-of-23) from the floor in the second half.
 
SEMO also outscored SIUE, 34-25, and managed up closing its deficit to 13 at the end.
 
Luke Almodovar, who returned to the starting lineup, led the Redhawks with 14 points, while Braxton Stacker and BJ Ward followed with nine apiece.
 
Arnas Sakenis led SIUE with 19 points and eight boards. 
 
SEMO never led in the game.
 
The Redhawks turn around quickly to host OVC leader UT Martin on Jan. 20.