Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team advances in OVC tourney

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State entered the Ohio Valley Conference tournament playing its best basketball of the season.

Little changed in that regard Wednesday night as the Redhawks started off the eight-team event with a bang.

Sixth-seeded Southeast trailed a few times early but had little trouble disposing of seventh-seeded Eastern Illinois 78-68 in the opening round at Municipal Auditorium.

"It's big to get that first win out of the way because you come out nervous in the first game," junior point guard Lucas Nutt said.

The Redhawks, who posted their third straight victory and won for the sixth time in their last eight games, advance to play third-seeded Eastern Kentucky at 8 p.m. today in the quarterfinals.

Southeast Missouri State point guard Lucas Nutt runs the offense during Wednesday night’s first-round game against Eastern Illinois in the OVC touranment in Nashville, Tenn. Nutt finished with 12 assists in the Redhawks’ 78-68 victory. (Stuart Allen ~ Ohio Valley Conference)

"I was really proud of our guys," Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said. "It was a good win for us. We beat a good team."

Southeast improved to 17-15 and clinched the program's first winning season since the 2004-05 campaign.

The Redhawks, who had already recorded the program's most victories since the 2000-01 squad won 18 games, have notched OVC tournament wins in three consecutive years for the first time in program history.

"Very special for us and our program. Our guys deserve a lot of credit," Dickey Nutt said.

Southeast and EIU (11-21), which had a three-game winning streak snapped, split their two regular-season meetings as each team won on its home court.

The Redhawks captured Wednesday's rubber matchup thanks to continued strong shooting, which has been a staple lately, along with stellar performances from Nutt and junior forward Tyler Stone.

Southeast shot 54.5 percent from the field, although the Redhawks had their string of six straight contests with at least 10 3-pointers end.

The Redhawks, who entered the night fifth nationally in 3-point shooting at 40.7 percent, finished 8 of 20 from beyond the arc (40 percent). Their 6 of 12 (50 percent) 3-point shooting in the first half helped them build a 42-29 lead at the break.

"We just came out here and fought and played," Stone said. "I give them [EIU] a lot of credit. They came out and played hard like we did."

Undermanned EIU battled in the second half, but Southeast's advantage never dipped under 10 points over the final 20 minutes and the Redhawks' biggest margin was 16 points.

"They're awful good. They've been playing well for a while," EIU coach Jay Spoonhour said. "I thought we did a nice job. We did as well as we could do ... any time the game gets going very fast it's tough on us.

"If they're playing the way they've been playing, they've got a heck of a chance to really mess this tournament up because they've got everything you have to have to win tournament games."

Stone, a starter for his entire Southeast career but who has been coming off the bench lately, had a huge performance with 24 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Stone made 11 of 12 from the field.

"I'm just trying to play hard, let the game come to me," Stone said. "Coming off the bench is just like starting, for real. I just try to bring the energy to the team."

Senior guard Marland Smith scored 14 points as he went over 1,400 career points. Southeast's career leader in 3-point baskets hit 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.

Senior guard Corey Wilford didn't have one of his better shooting nights from long range -- he made 2 of 6 from beyond the arc -- but still scored 14 points and tied Stone for team-high rebounding honors with seven. He added three assists, two steals and a block.

Lucas Nutt continued to direct Southeast's offense expertly. He tied his career high with 12 assists and did not commit a turnover as the Redhawks had only eight turnovers -- two in the second half.

"I thought Tyler Stone and Lucas Nutt tonight actually were not going to let us lose," Dickey Nutt said. "Tyler was exceptional ... not one jump shot. I've been on him [about shot selection]. I thought Lucas handled our basketball team tonight to perfection."

Nutt, who scored six points and grabbed four rebounds, also blocked two shots -- matching the total he had for his entire collegiate career entering the night.

"Somebody got that wrong," said a laughing Nutt when told that the official box score indeed had him for two blocks. "I don't remember those, but I'll take it."

Southeast fell behind 9-4 early and trailed 17-16 midway through the first half. A Smith 3-pointer with a little more than 10 minutes left put the Redhawks up for good at 19-17.

The Redhawks closed the half with seven straight points to lead 42-29 and withstood every second-half run by EIU.

Now the Redhawks will set their sights on Eastern Kentucky (23-8), which set a school record for wins this season.

The Colonels won at Southeast 81-72 on Feb. 2 in this year's lone meeting, but the Redhawks have ended EKU's season in the opening round of the OVC tournament the past two years.

"We've got our hands full. We'll have to play our best for 40 minutes," Dickey Nutt said.