Last-place Redhawks visit first-place Eagles

As Southeast Missouri State continues searching for that elusive first Ohio Valley Conference win, the Redhawks also have a chance to play the role of spoiler.

A prime opportunity comes today as Southeast takes on OVC leader Morehead State.

The last-place Redhawks (3-22, 0-14) and first-place Eagles (15-11, 11-3) square off at 3:15 p.m. in Morehead, Ky.

"It's going to be tough," Southeast acting coach Zac Roman said.

Southeast suffered its 14th consecutive defeat Thursday at Eastern Kentucky, as the Redhawks continue to carry the nation's longest active losing streak.

That 84-64 setback also tied the school record for losses in a season, 22, set by the 2001-02 squad.

Southeast has dropped 21 consecutive OVC games dating back to last season.

Despite MSU leading the OVC -- by a half-game over Tennessee-Martin and one game over Austin Peay -- the Eagles struggled with Southeast on Jan. 15 at the Show Me Center, winning 73-67.

"We played them tough in Cape," Roman said. "We're capable of playing everybody tough."

The Eagles feature one of the OVC's premier big men in 6-foot-8 sophomore center Kenneth Faried, who is averaging a double-double with 13.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game.

Faried, who has 16 double-doubles this season, leads the OVC in rebounding and ranks fourth nationally. He also is third in the conference in blocked shots (1.9) and third in field-goal percentage (54.9).

Faried is the No. 2 scorer in a balanced MSU offensive attack that features four players averaging in double figures.

"Faried is a very good player," Roman said. "And they've got other good players around him."

Leon Buchanan, a 6-5 senior forward, leads the Eagles with a 14-point average, followed by Faried, 6-4 junior forward Maze Stallworth (12.4) and 6-4 sophomore guard Demonte Harper (10.6).

The Eagles lead the OVC in rebounding margin (plus 7.3) and field-goal percentage defense (41.2).

"They're just solid all the way around," Roman said. "They'll defend, run their offense.

"I'm not surprised at all where they are. They've got all the pieces and they're playing their best basketball right now."

Faried had 14 points and 14 rebounds in the earlier meeting against Southeast. Buchanan led the Eagles with 20 points and Harper added 18.

Senior guard Kenard Moore poured in 31 points to pace the Redhawks. Senior forward Jaycen Herring scored 18 points.

Herring is coming off a season-high 26-point performance during Thursday's loss at Eastern Kentucky.

MSU is undefeated in OVC home games this season at 8-0, and the Eagles have lost just once at home this season.