Redhawks Soar Past SIUE with 80-64 Victory, Elevating Their OVC Record to 2-0!

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri Men’s Basketball (6-6, 2-0 OVC) triumphed over SIUE (7-6, 0-2 OVC) with a decisive score of 80-64 to maintain their unblemished record in Ohio Valley Conference play on Saturday afternoon at the Show Me Center. 

Three Redhawks achieved double-digit scores, with BJ Ward leading the pack with 18 points on 6-for-14 shooting. Teddy Washington and Brendan Terry contributed 17 points each, securing a 14-point victory for SEMO. 

As a collective, SEMO nearly hit 50-percent from the field (48.4%) and an outstanding 86-percent from the free throw line (13-15). Three Redhawks showcased flawless performances from the charity stripe, led by Teddy Washington (3-3). BJ Ward (2-2) and Trent Cole, Jr. (2-2) also followed with perfect records. 

 

The Redhawks excelled in rebounding, surpassing SIUE with a 37-22 edge, led by Terry’s eight rebounds. SEMO outperformed SIUE in scoring near the paint, achieving a 40-28 advantage in the paint. 

 

SEMO assisted on 14 of their 30 field goals during the matchup, with BJ Ward leading with four assists. 

 

The Redhawks won the tip-off, and on their initial possession, BJ Ward sank a three-pointer thanks to a pass from Rob Martin, granting SEMO an early lead. 

 

Forward Brendan Terry quickly netted four points with two baskets in the lane. The first was a fast break layup from another assist by Martin, followed by a hook shot that provided the Redhawks with a 9-5 lead with 17:53 remaining in the half. 

 

Senior Teddy Washington, Jr. made his mark on the scoreboard after the first media timeout with a three-pointer from an assist by Ward, granting the Redhawks their largest lead of five points, before SIUE’s Ray’sean Taylor responded with a three of his own. 

 

Taylor notched 14 points in the first half. 

 

The contest remained competitive as the Redhawks pushed their lead back to six points after Damarion Walkup capitalized on a second-chance opportunity with a jumper following an inbound pass from Ward. 

 

Center David Idada scored four consecutive points for the Redhawks within a 42-second span, starting with a pair of free throws that put SEMO up by six. Idada then scored off his right shoulder, assisted by Damarion Walkup, increasing the score to 40-34 for SEMO. 

 

With just 41 seconds remaining in the first half, the Redhawks extended their lead to 11 following two free throws by Troy Cole, Jr. 

 

Another three from Taylor with under 25 seconds left narrowed SEMO’s lead to eight as the first half concluded. The Redhawks concluded the opening 20 minutes leading 45-37. 

 

Teddy Washington, Jr. capped the first half with a team-leading 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting, maintaining a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line. Collectively, SEMO shot 50-percent from the field (17-34), 33-percent from beyond the arc (4-12), and a flawless 100-percent from the free throw line (7-7). 

 

The Redhawks led SIUE in rebounding during the first half with an 18-12 edge, spearheaded by Brendan Terry with four rebounds. 

 

SIUE shot 47-percent from the field, with Ray’sean Taylor leading with 14 points at halftime. 

 

BJ Ward initiated the second half by scoring the opening basket for SEMO, much like the first half, with a two-point jump shot from the elbow.

 

Following three consecutive baskets from SIUE, the Redhawks transitioned quickly as Elliot Lowndes raced down the court, received a pass from Teddy Washington, and completed a slam dunk to give the Redhawks a 52-46 lead. 

 

After an SIUE dunk, BJ Ward tallied five consecutive points, starting with a three-pointer and followed by two free throws, bringing the score to 57-48 with 15:26 left in the game. 

 

SEMO maintained their momentum as Brendan Terry netted six straight points from 4:36, increasing the score to 72-60 in favor of the Redhawks. His scoring run culminated at 78-60, leading SEMO to an 80-64 win. 

 

Looking Ahead

SEMO Men’s Basketball will make a return to the Show Me Center on Sunday, December 29, to compete against Westminster. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT in Cape Girardeau.