Southeast Missouri State Holds Off Little Rock 70-65

Southeast Missouri State improved to 11-10 on the season with a hard-fought 70-65 win over Little Rock at the Show Me Center. The Redhawks, led by Luke Almodovar's 13 points and 10 rebounds, controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish. Almodovar's double-double was a key factor in the win, as he provided a consistent presence in the paint and helped to neutralize Little Rock's interior scoring threats.

Johnathan Lawson was the standout performer for Little Rock, scoring 21 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Despite his best efforts, however, the Trojans were unable to overcome a deficit that grew as large as 10 points in the second half. Lawson's scoring outbursts were often met with timely responses from the Redhawks, who got contributions from a number of players. Landren Blocker and BJ Ward chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively, to help seal the win.

The game got off to a slow start, with Southeast Missouri State taking a 33-30 lead into the halftime break. The Redhawks came out strong in the second half, using a 10-2 run to push their lead to 10 points. Little Rock refused to go quietly, however, and a late surge brought the Trojans to within 5 points with just over a minute to play. In the end, it was too little, too late, as the Redhawks held on for the 5-point win.

CHD Scout had predicted a Southeast Missouri State win by 8.6 points, and while the final margin was slightly smaller, the prediction ultimately proved correct. The Redhawks' victory was a reflection of their ability to close out games against inferior opponents, a trait that will serve them well as they navigate the remainder of their schedule.

The win is a Quadrant 4 victory for Southeast Missouri State, which may not carry a lot of weight in terms of resume-building. However, it is still an important win for a team looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. For Little Rock, the loss is also a Quadrant 4 defeat, which will do little to help their tournament chances. The Trojans, now 9-11 on the year, must string together some wins in a hurry if they hope to make a push for the postseason. As it stands, both teams will likely be on the outside looking in when it comes to the tournament, but the Redhawks' win at least keeps their slim hopes alive.