The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team (4-16, 1-6) has allowed the second most points in the Ohio Valley Conference. Following the team's 91-55 loss to Tennessee Tech on Jan. 16, coach Rick Ray decided to change his defensive philosophy.

"After that performance at Tennessee Tech when we gave up 25 points to one person in the first half, I was more pissed at myself than I was at the team," Ray said after the team's next game. "I knew right then and there we were going to get back to something I was good at coaching, which is a man-to-man defense."

Southeast had been playing zone defense for the early part of the season, which is outside of Ray's comfort zone.

"It's what I do. I'm much more comfortable teaching man-to-man," Ray said. "I know zone principles, but I've been under the tutelage of some very good man-to-man defensive coaches."

The players also are more accustomed to playing man-to-man.

"It's all about stopping the man in front of you," junior guard Antonius Cleveland said. "Pretty much everyone growing up, all you ever played was man-to-man basketball."

Playing a man-to-man defense provides chances for big plays coming off of steals, opposed to the more conservative zone defense.

"I like the man-to-man defense, it's played faster," freshman point guard Eric McGill said. "When you're staying back in your zone you can't really get out and make steals or cause fast breaks."

The Redhawks defeated UT Martin 68-60 in overtime on Sunday in the second game since Ray made the change.

During the first half, Southeast held UT Martin to only 15 points on 25 percent shooting and didn't allow a single 3-pointer. UT Martin senior forward Twymond Howard, who averages 15.5 points per game, was held scoreless in the first half. Howard ended the game with 7 points.

Ray thought the unit played well together, especially against Howard.

"All of our guys take credit because our goal we always say is 31," Ray said. "What that means is when one person has the basketball, really three people are guarding him because there's someone to the right in the gap and someone to the left in the gap."

The second half was a different story for the Redhawks, as they allowed UT Martin to come back after being down by as much as 19.

"We had our bench right next to us on the defensive end in the first half, which helps a lot," McGill said. "In the second half, I think it was a little fatigue and a little lack of communication so we just have to learn how to play both halves."

The Redhawks caused 18 turnovers on Sunday, the most this season against an OVC opponent, and scored 20 points off of those turnovers.

Southeast was forced to learn the new system quickly, since the change was made in the middle of the season.

"I think we're being aggressive on our man versus staying back," junior guard Jamaal Calvin said. "We had a great week of practice working on that man defense and I think it's come a long way."

Against UT Martin, the Redhawks showed the ability to adapt quickly.

"We've been playing man-to-man defense for about eight days," Ray said. "For us to go out there and defend the way they did I'm really proud of them. They bought into it and they understand that we can be good in it."