CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — Leon Powell scored 17 points and Southeast Missouri State rallied from an early second-half 17-point deficit to beat Eastern Illinois 78-75 Saturday night.
Eastern Illinois (6-9, 2-3 Ohio Valley) led 44-29 at halftime and extended its lead to 53-36 with 16:47 left when Jeremy Granger made a 3-pointer for the Panthers.
But the Redhawks (5-11, 4-2) scored the next eight points, and after Eastern Illinois pushed the lead back to 13, Southeast Missouri State used a 15-0 run to go ahead 66-63 with 5:50 to play. The Redhawks preserved the lead at the free-throw line.
All five Southeast Missouri State starters were in double figures. Besides Powell, Anthony Allison had 16 points, Lucas Nutt had 15 and Marland Smith scored 13. Cameron Butler had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Granger led Eastern Illinois with 17 points. Shaun Pratl had 15 points and James Hollowell scored 14 for the Panthers.
