Redhawks earn second straight road win at SIUE

~ The Southeast men shot a season-high percentage from the field and won 83-63

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team is turning into road warriors.

Southeast notched its second straight victory, both away from home, by rolling past Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville 83-63 on Monday night.

The Redhawks improved to 7-17 as they posted a 20-point road victory for the first time since the 2003-04 season. They also matched their win total from last year.

SIUE, which joins the Ohio Valley Conference next season, fell to 6-19. The Cougars are 0-7 against OVC members.

"It was a good win for us. We played well," said Southeast coach Dickey Nutt, whose squad had lost six straight before its current winning streak. "I'm very proud of the guys."

The Redhawks have won three of their five OVC road games, including Saturday's 70-64 triumph at Eastern Illinois.

"When you win on the road, that's a special thing," Nutt said. "It doesn't matter who you're playing, road wins are rare."

Southeast shot a season high from the field against a Division I opponent Saturday at Eastern Illinois, hitting 52.2 percent.

The Redhawks topped that Monday by shooting a season-high 56.6 percent, beating their previous best of 54.7 percent during a rout of NAIA Hannibal-LaGrange.

"I thought we were patient on offense again," Nutt said. "We executed well and defended well."

Five players reached double figures in scoring for Southeast, led by sophomore guard Marland Smith with 27 points. He hit 11 of 19 from the floor, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range, while playing 39 minutes.

Smith scored 20 or more points in a game for the seventh time this season. He has reached double figures in 11 of the past 14 contests.

Junior forward Leon Powell had his team-leading fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds while adding four assists, a steal and a block.

Powell, No. 3 nationally in field-goal shooting at 64.7 percent, made 7 of 8. He has reached double figures in 20 of Southeast's 24 games.

Redshirt freshman point guard Lucas Nutt had 14 points and six assists against just two turnovers in 34 minutes. He has scored in double figures nine of the last 10 games.

Also in double figures for the Redhawks were senior forward Cameron Butler with 11 points and senior guard Anthony Allison with 10 points. Butler grabbed six rebounds and Allison recorded three assists.

Allison, who has scored in double figures 18 times, suffered a shoulder injury midway through the second half and did not return. Nutt said the extent of the injury was not immediately known.

"That's certainly disappointing, Anthony getting hurt," Nutt said.

Junior guard Marcus Brister had a solid performance off the bench with eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

SIUE built an early 11-6 lead but Southeast answered with a 15-0 run to go ahead 21-11 and never looked back.

The Redhawks were up 45-29 late in the first half before settling for a 45-33 advantage at the break.

Smith had 18 first-half points, hitting 8 of 12 shots including 2 of 3 3-pointers. Southeast shot 60.6 percent in the period.

"Marland was a difference maker in the first half," Nutt said.

Southeast scored the first four points of the second half to go ahead 49-33 and the lead never dipped under 11 points the rest of the way.

The Redhawks held SIUE to 39.6-percent shooting, had a 38-28 rebounding advantage and committed only eight turnovers. They outscored the Cougars 38-18 in the paint.

Southeast resumes OVC play Thursday at Eastern Kentucky.

Powell honored

Powell was named OVC newcomer of the week Monday, the third time he has won the award this season.

Powell was honored for his performance Saturday at Eastern Illinois as he scored 28 points. He hit 9 of 10 field goals and 10 of 12 free throws while adding seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists.