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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Eastern Illinois led by as many as 17 points but could not hold off Southeast Missouri as the Redhawks (5-11, 4-2 OVC) rallied to pick up a 78-75 win over the Panthers on Saturday night at the Show Me Center. EIU fell to 6-9, 2-3 in the OVC.

The Panthers will host Eastern Kentucky on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Lantz Arena.

In a tale of two halves shooting the ball, EIU shot 49 percent in the first half as they built a 44-29 lead with 11 players scoring. The Panthers cooled off in the second half hitting only 35 percent to shoot 42 percent for the night. EIU was also cold from the free throw line hitting 61 percent for the night including missing four free throws in the final six minutes.

SEMO finished the night shooting 43 percent turning it up in the second half at a 58 percent clip. SEMO hit 64 percent from the free throw line making 28 of 44 opportunities.

The Panthers extended the lead to 17 points with 16:47 left to play on a Jeremy Granger 3-pointer that put the Panthers up 53-38. Granger was one of three EIU players in double figures with 17 points. Shaun Pratl who carried the EIU offense in the first half finished with 15 after scoring nine in the first half.

SEMO slowly cut into the Panthers margin with Marland Smith tying the game at 63-63 with 6:45 left to play. EIU would miss a pair of free throws on the next possession and fall behind at 6:22 on a Leon Powell free throw. Powell had 17 for the Redhawks as they had all five starters reach double figures. Smith had 13.

Granger cut the SEMO lead to 77-75 knocking down a pair of free throws with five seconds remaining. Lucas Nutt hit only one of two free throws to put SEMO up three but Granger's last second 3-pointer fell short of the rim.

James Hollowell added 14 points for EIU as all twelve players that dressed for the Panthers scored in the contest.