February 20, 2021
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – February 20, 2021
The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team fell at Southeast Missouri, 94-72, on Saturday at the Show Me Center.
It was the Colonels’ (18-6, 12-5 OVC) sixth consecutive road game over the last 12 days.
EKU took an early 12-9 lead when sophomore Michael Moreno drained a three-pointer at the 14:57 mark of the first half. However, SEMO (9-14, 7-10 OVC) then went on a 21-3 run and grabbed a 30-15 lead when DQ Nicholas converted a layup with 6:53 on the clock. A jumper by Eric Reed sent the Redhawks into the locker room at halftime up by 26, 50-24.
Moreno tried to will the Colonels back into the game in the second half. His fifth three-pointer of the contest capped an 11-0 EKU run and pulled Eastern back to within 16, 56-40. But that was as close as the Colonels got.
Moreno led all scorers in the game with 19 points, to go along with a career-high three blocks, two rebounds, one steal and one assist. Redshirt freshman Curt Lewis added 18 points, while senior Russhard Cruickshank contributed 10 points, three assists and three rebounds. Freshman Devontae Blanton came off the bench to post 10 points and a team-best seven boards, five of which were offensive.
SEMO was led by Chris Harris’ 18 points and seven assists.
The Redhawks shot a season-best 58.3 percent from the field and 56 percent from three-point range on the day.
EKU won the turnover battle, 23-13, but the Colonels were out-rebounded by the Redhawks, 47-28.
The Colonels will stay in Cape Girardeau to play the Redhawks again on Monday at 3 p.m. ET.