CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois played without leading scorer Romain Martin but the Panthers (2-12, 1-5 OVC) valiant effort was not enough as league leading Southeast Missouri jumped out to an early lead before holding on for a 82-71 win at Lantz Arena.
The Redhawks (11-5, 6-0 OVC) jumped out to an 8-0 lead before Ousmane Cisse scored EIU's first points making one of two from the free throw line. Brandon Foust extended SEMO's lead to 15 at the 3:28 mark of the first half as he scored a series of three 3-pointers to go along with two free throws. Foust scored 16 in the first a he led all scorers in the game with 25.
Jaycen Herring hit a running jumper at the buzzer to send SEMO to the locker room with a 37-23 lead. The Redhawks were 7-of-7 from the free throw line in the first half and 21-of-27 for the game. EIU scored 11 of its 23 first half points from the stripe as well.
EIU quickly trimmed the lead to ten on a pair of buckets by Julio Anthony in the first two minutes of the second half. Anthony would lead EIU with a career-high 22. Jon'Tee Willhite pulled Eastern Illinois to within five points with 3:51 remaining he converting a lay-up to cut Southeast Missouri's lead to 70-65.
SEMO would respond with a 9-1 run as Foust hit a pair of free throws and Roderick Pearson converted a fast break dunk. Herring and Pearson each free throws in the final 23 seconds to give the Redhawks the final 82-71 margin.
Willhite had 16 off the bench for EIU while Bobby Catchings just missed a double-double for the Panthers with 13 points and 9 rebounds. EIU will play at Austin Peay on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Herring had 12 for SEMO off the bench while Michael Rembert and Pearson each added 10 points. Foust also had 10 rebounds for a double-double.
