Southeast Missouri State Holds Off Western Illinois 78-74

Southeast Missouri State traveled to Western Hall and came away with a hard-fought 78-74 victory over Western Illinois. The Redhawks, led by Brendan Terry's 16 points and 8 rebounds, controlled the tempo for much of the game, but the Leathernecks refused to back down. Lucas Lorenzen paced Western Illinois with 20 points and 6 rebounds, keeping his team within striking distance throughout.

The first half saw Southeast Missouri State establish a 36-29 lead, thanks in part to a strong defensive effort that limited Western Illinois to just 29 points. However, the Leathernecks came out fired up in the second half, with Lorenzen and Makai Kvamme combining for 24 points to keep their team in the game. Despite being outscored 45-42 in the second half, the Redhawks' early lead was just enough to secure the win.

CHD Scout had predicted a Southeast Missouri State victory by 8.5 points, and while the actual margin was slightly closer, the prediction ultimately proved correct. The Redhawks' ability to withstand Western Illinois' second-half surge and emerge with the win is a reflection of their resilience and determination.

Terry was not the only Redhawk to turn in a strong performance, as Marqueas Bell added 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Braxton Stacker chipped in with 14 points. For Western Illinois, Goanar Biliew contributed 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Kvamme finished with 14 points and 5 assists. Despite the loss, the Leathernecks can take pride in their refusal to back down against a more highly-regarded opponent.

This game had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Southeast Missouri State, the win represents a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not significantly boost their profile but does help to avoid a potentially damaging loss. The Redhawks' current net ranking of 244 suggests they still have work to do to become a serious tournament contender, but this win keeps them on the right track. On the other hand, Western Illinois was already facing an uphill battle with a net ranking of 357, and this Quadrant 4 loss does little to help their cause.

As the season enters its final stretch, Southeast Missouri State want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their tournament resume. With a record of 12-10, the Redhawks are still very much in the mix, and their ability to grind out tough victories like this one matters in the weeks to come. For Western Illinois, the focus will shift to trying to pull off a few upsets and making the most of their remaining schedule, but for now, they are left to ponder what might have been after a hard-fought loss to Southeast Missouri State.