NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Southeast Missouri State built a first-half lead and held off Tennessee State for a 91-82 victory in an Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Howard Gentry Complex. The Redhawks led 44-37 at halftime behind efficient shooting, finishing the game at 57.7% from the floor. Marqueas Bell scored 22 points to lead Southeast Missouri State, while Luke Almodovar added 19. The Tigers were paced by Travis Harper’s 23 points and Antoine Lorick’s 19 points and three blocks. Despite committing 18 turnovers, which Tennessee State converted into 26 points, the Redhawks’ offensive efficiency proved decisive. The Tigers fell to 7-5 overall and in conference play, while Southeast Missouri State improved to 6-7. Attendance was 327.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by contrasting styles, Southeast Missouri State’s offensive efficiency ultimately overpowered Tennessee State’s disruptive defense as the Redhawks secured a 91-82 victory in an Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the Howard Gentry Complex. The Redhawks, who entered as slight underdogs, improved to 6-7 overall, while the Tigers fell to 7-5. The most important part of the game was Southeast Missouri State’s blistering start and its ability to maintain a comfortable lead despite a staggering turnover discrepancy. The Redhawks opened the game on a 9-0 run, fueled by early baskets from BJ Ward and Luke Almodovar, and never trailed. They built a 44-37 halftime lead by shooting a scorching 57.7% from the field in the opening period, including 5 of 10 from three-point range. This hot shooting proved critical in offsetting Tennessee State’s relentless defensive pressure. The Tigers forced 18 Redhawks turnovers, converting them into 26 points, and held a 9-4 advantage in steals. However, Southeast Missouri State’s offense was so potent that even those extra possessions for Tennessee State could not close the gap. The Redhawks finished the game shooting 57.7% from the field overall and posted an offensive rating of 120.1 points per 100 possessions, a mark of elite efficiency. Tennessee State, which shot just 42.4% from the field, made several pushes in the second half. A driving layup by Dante Harris cut the deficit to 69-71 with just over six minutes remaining, capping a 7-0 Tigers run that energized the home crowd of 327. The sequence highlighted Tennessee State’s strategy of turning defense into offense, as the run was sparked by a steal from Harris. Southeast Missouri State responded immediately and decisively. On the ensuing possession, Braxton Stacker found Landren Blocker for an alley-oop dunk. Following a defensive stop, Brendan Terry was fouled, and though he missed both free throws, the Redhawks regained their composure. A driving layup by Stacker, assisted by Terry, pushed the lead back to six points, and the Tigers would not get within a single possession again. The Redhawks closed the game by making 10 of their final 12 free throws to seal the win. Marqueas Bell led all scorers with 22 points for Southeast Missouri State, adding three assists. His driving ability was a constant threat in the paint, where the Redhawks outscored the Tigers 40-34. Luke Almodovar provided a crucial scoring spark off the bench with 19 points, including three first-half three-pointers that helped establish the early lead. BJ Ward added 14 points, and Braxton Stacker filled the stat sheet with 11 points, five assists and two blocks. Tennessee State was led by Travis Harper’s 23 points, which included three three-pointers. Antoine Lorick was a force inside, scoring 19 points, grabbing multiple offensive rebounds, and recording three blocks. Aaron Nkrumah contributed 15 points, and Dante Harris directed the offense with nine points and five assists despite battling turnover issues himself. The game’s statistical story was one of precision versus pressure. Southeast Missouri State committed nearly twice as many turnovers as Tennessee State but won the battle of field goal percentage by over 15 percentage points and made three more three-pointers. The Redhawks also went to the free throw line effectively, making 22 of 29 attempts. Southeast Missouri State will look to build on the conference road win when it hosts Eastern Illinois on Jan. 1. Tennessee State aims to rebound when it travels to face Arkansas-Little Rock on Jan. 3.

Preview: Southeast Missouri State at Tennessee State NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball play begins Saturday as Tennessee State hosts Southeast Missouri State at the Howard Gentry Complex. The Tigers (6-4) enter with momentum from a notable 63-60 road victory over UNLV on Dec. 13. Travis Harper led the way in that win, scoring 12 points in 33 minutes. The junior guard has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 13.4 points over his last five games, including a 19-point performance against Tenn. Wesleyan on Nov. 29. Southeast Missouri State (5-6) has won three of its last four, most recently an 88-65 home win over St. Xavier on Dec. 14. In that game, Marqueas Bell scored 19 points in just 19 minutes off the bench. The sophomore guard is averaging 11.3 points over his last six contests and provides a spark for the Redhawks’ second unit. Tennessee State’s non-conference schedule featured several tough road tests, including an 89-60 loss at Tennessee and a 95-82 defeat at Western Kentucky. Their resume includes solid wins at UNC Asheville and Chattanooga, alongside a puzzling 80-53 loss at Alabama A&M on Dec. 3. The Redhawks’ early season included a narrow 89-84 loss at Missouri and a 99-70 defeat at Iowa. Their current winning streak has come against lower-tier competition, making this conference opener a significant step up in caliber. This matchup pits Tennessee State’s slightly more battle-tested record against a Southeast Missouri State team finding its rhythm offensively. Containing Bell’s bench production will be a key for the Tigers, while the Redhawks must contend with Harper’s scoring versatility. Tip-off is set for Saturday, Dec. 20, in Nashville. This game marks the conference opener for both programs as they begin their pursuit of the OVC regular-season title.