Redhawks run losing streak to 17

A change of conference scenery couldn't help Southeast Missouri State end the nation's longest current losing streak among NCAA Division I men's basketball teams.

The Redhawks took a break from Ohio Valley Conference play with Saturday night's Bracketbuster game against Northern Illinois.

NIU, from the Mid-American Conference, continued the Redhawks' misery with a 97-73 romp at the Show Me Center.

The Redhawks (3-25, 0-16) set a school record with their 17th consecutive defeat. They already owned the school mark for losses in a season.

NIU (8-17, 3-9) won for just the second time in nine games and ruined Southeast's senior night.

FRED LYNCH ~ flynch@semissourian.comSoutheast Missouri State's Israel Kirk tries to steal a rebound by Northern Illinois' Sean Kowal during the first half Saturday at the Show Me Center.

"Everything was clicking for them tonight," Southeast acting coach Zac Roman said. "They played well together offensively."

Senior guard Kenard Moore led the Redhawks with a career-high 36 points. His previous high scoring output was 31 points.

Forward Jaycen Herring, Southeast's only other senior, added 22 points.

"That was nice to see Kenard and Jaycen have big nights, their last game here at the Show Me Center," Roman said.

Sean Kowal, a 6-foot-11 sophomore center, paced NIU with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

NIU made a season-high 13 3-pointers and scored a season-high point total.

Southeast scored the game's first basket but then saw NIU reel off 19 straight points.

The Redhawks pulled within 25-21, but the Huskies surged in front 51-31 by halftime.

Things quickly got worse in the second half as NIU boosted its lead to 68-38 in less than five minutes.

A short time later it was 76-42. Southeast got no closer than 19 points the rest of the way.

Southeast ends the season with two OVC road games, Thursday against Tennessee State and Saturday against Austin Peay.