MARTIN, Tenn. – BJ Ward scored 15 points and Southeast Missouri (17-11, 12-5) moved into first in the Ohio Valley Conference standings with a thrilling 56-53 overtime win over UT Martin (20-8, 12-5) Tuesday at the Elam Center.
 
SEMO beat the Skyhawks in Martin for the first time since 2018 and handed UTM just its second home loss this year. The Redhawks also beat the Skyhawks twice in a season for the first time since 2012-13. 
 
The Redhawks edged UTM, 9-6, and did enough to hold off UTM in the extra period.
 
Luke Almodovar came up with a big steal and Brendan Terry rebounded his own miss and was fouled on the play. Terry went to the free throw line and made both of his shots with 11 seconds left to seal the victory.
 
UTM had an opportunity with 11 seconds remaining, but Afan Trnka's 3-pointer bounced off the rim.
 
The Redhawks led, 30-20, in the second half when UTM went on a 10-2 run to get within two at the 13:03 mark.
 
Ward quickly answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to give SEMO a 38-30 advantage. 
 
UTM countered with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 38-38 on a Pedro Santos layup with 6:56 to go. Santos later gave the Skyhawks their first lead since the 16:59 mark of the first half when his layup made it a 44-42 contest with 3:42 on the clock.
 
Marqueas Bell's 3-pointer regained a 47-44 edge for SEMO with 2:48 remaining. 
 
Then, Damien King split two free throws. After he made his second attempt, Santos stole the ball and made a layup to tie things up at 47-47 with 30 seconds to play.
 
SEMO had a chance to win it in regulation, but Ward missed a pull-up jumper sending the game to overtime.
 
SEMO pulled out in front, 12-4, on Almodovar's driving layup with 13:22 remaining in the first half.
 
Terry later threw down a dunk, was fouled and converted a 3-point play to give the Redhawks their first double-digit lead at 23-13 with 7:13 to go.
 
Santos made a 3-pointer to cut SEMO's lead to seven and that would be UTM's last points in the first half as the Skyhawks went scoreless for the final 6:50.
 
With the shot clock expiring, Ward heaved a 3-pointer that went off the back of the rim and in to send SEMO into the intermission up, 26-16.
 
The 16 points were the Skyhawks' fewest in a half of basketball this season.
 
Ward shot 6-of-13 from the field, made three 3-pointers and pulled down six rebounds. He had three steals and one assist, as well.
 
Terry followed with 14 points on 4-of-8 from the floor and 6-of-8 at the free throw line. He also grabbed six rebounds and collected two of his team's season-high eight blocks.
 
Braxton Stacker and Bell finished with nine and eight boards, respectively.
 
SEMO outrebounded UTM, 51-42.
 
Matas Deniusas had 17 points and Santos followed close behind with 16 to lead UTM.
 
The Redhawks close out their lengthy four-game road stretch at Little Rock on Feb. 21.