Branson’s sharp shooting paces Redhawks past Panthers

Dylan Branson had his best shooting performance of the season on Thursday in Southeast Missouri State’s 78-64 win over Eastern Illinois in the Show Me Center.

The sophomore guard from St. Louis scored 12 points and made four shots from the three-point line, a career high. He has scored double digits seven times this season, five of which came at home.

“I feel like in the Show Me Center I'm shooting a really good clip from three right now,” Branson said. “So every time I'm getting my feet set, I'm letting it fly and I'm feeling confident. It helps keep the floor space for our team. It makes us the best version of SEMO.”

Branson is one of three players that were on the roster during Brad Korn's first season at SEMO. He has earned the respect of his teammates through his versatile and unselfish play.

“I love that guy,” said Aquan Smart, who led the Redhawks with 14 points. “He shoots threes, plays defense, gets rebounds, talks stuff to everybody. He just plays so hard. I just love being his teammate.”

“He's kind of a coach on the floor for us,” Korn said. “He's kind of the point guard along with Phil and other guys because he knows the game inside and out with a high basketball IQ. He's another one of those guys who always brings energy to practice, into the team and he's a guy we count on and depend on.”

Phillip Russell scored 11 points for the Redhawks, followed by 10 points from Nate Johnson.

Josh Early punctuated an opening 16-5 run with a dunk. Branson hit his third three-pointer of the game at the end of the first half to give the Redhawks a 47-29 halftime lead.

Branson saved his fourth three-pointer for the end of the game, sealing the game with three minutes remaining and the Redhawks leading 75-60.

EIU grabbed two more rebounds than SEMO but only took 10 shots from three and 13 from the free-throw line, while the Redhawks made 13 free throws.

Nick Ellington led EIU with 17 points. Cape Central alum Kinyon Hodges scored 12 points for the Panthers in his first game at the Show Me Center as an NCAA Division I player. Hodges arrived at EIU after spending three years at Three Rivers College and is leading the Panthers with 14 points per game.

The tie for second place in the Ohio Valley Conference dwindles to three teams. With the win, the Redhawks (14-14, 9-6) keep pace with Tennessee Tech and UT Martin, which is the only team to have swept the season series against SEMO.

The Redhawks close out the home slate of their season with a weekend matinee against Southern Indiana on Saturday at 4 p.m.

A place in the OVC Tournament has long been assured but the Redhawks have a chance to obtain the No. 2 seed, which grants them the semifinal round as the starting point.

"We just got to control what we can control," Branson said. "If we win out from here on we can get that double-bye in the conference tournament, which will be big time for us."