Jamaal Calvin scored 15 points and made six free throws in the final 41 seconds of the game to lead Southeast Missouri (5-16, 2-6) to a 58-51 victory over SIU Edwardsville (4-17, 1-8) Thursday night at the Vadalabene Center.

Southeast shot a season-low 28% but won with excellent defense and clutch free throw shooting to pull out the win.

“I don’t know if a team has shot 28 percent on the road and won,” said Southeast head coach Rick Ray. “Our guys played hard and competed, and our guards did an unbelievable job of rebounding the basketball.”

Southeast made only three field goals in the first 10:29 of the second half. After Antonius Cleveland’s dunk narrowed SIUE’s lead to 28-26 at the 17:29 mark, the Redhawks went almost eight minutes without a field goal. The Cougars capitalized on the drought, stringing together a 15-4 run to build their biggest lead at 41-32 with 11:34 remaining.

After Calvin’s free throw closed SIUE’s lead to three at the 8:07 mark, the Cougars managed to get back up by seven, 45-38 before Southeast’s rally down the stretch, going on a 7-0 run to take the lead.

 

The Ohio Valley Conference’s 11th and 12th-place scoring teams combined for only 42 points in the first half. SIUE held a 22-20 halftime lead.

The Redhawks, also 12th in the OVC in free throw percentage, outscored SIUE, 21-11, at the line in the second half. Southeast made 21-of-25 free throws for 84 percent.

Story courtesy: SEMO Athletics