CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois men's basketball had three players score in double figures on Saturday afternoon against Southeast Missouri but the Panthers could not counter a hot shooting night by the Redhawks from 3-point range. SEMO pulled away in the first half and won 87-58 at First Mid Court at Lantz Arena.
EIU fell to 2-16 overall, 0-5 in the OVC. SEMO is now 8-11 overall, 3-3 in the OVC.
SEMO connected for ten 3-pointers in the opening half while shooting 50 percent from the field to build a 51-32 lead at the half. Chris Harris and Nana Akenten had the hot hand early. Harris would finish the game 4-of-7 from 3-point range with 14 points. Akenten scored 12 points in the game with 3-of-10 shooting on 3-pointers.
EIU shot 50 percent from 3-point range in the first half going 4-of-8.
Dan Luers knocked down a pair of 3-pointers as the transfer scored in double figures for the second straight game with 14 points. He was 3-of-3 on 3-pointers in the game.
Freshman
Paul Bizimana who scored a season high 22 points on Thursday at Murray State finished with ten points while
Kejuan Clements scored 14 to go with seven assists.
SEMO shot 49 percent for the game and finished with a 42-27 advantage on the glass. Dylan Branson led SEMO with 14 points while Manny Patterson added 11 points. SEMO was 5-of-13 on 3-pointers in the second half shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc in the game.
EIU returns to action on Monday night hosting Belmont in a rescheduled contest from earlier this season that was postponed due to COVID.