The Redhawks men’s basketball team won their second matchup of the season with the Eastern Illinois University Panthers by a score of 78-64 on Feb. 16 at the Show Me Center.

In their last meeting on Jan. 28, the Redhawks beat EIU at the Lantz Arena in Charleston, Illinois by a score of 79-68.

SEMO took control of the game early as they held a 14-5 lead with just five minutes passing in the first half. They quickly gained a 13-point lead off of back-to-back three pointers by sophomore guard Dylan Branson and senior guard Israel Barnes.

“I think today was great,” Branson said. “We had a lot of energy on defense. We came out locked and ready to go and we were sharing the ball really well.”

Sophomore guard Phillip Russell gave the team a 16-point lead from a four-point play with just over four minutes to go in the first half. He was able to knock down a three pointer while getting fouled, and his free throw was good.

“I think we got back to playing as a team today,” sophomore guard Aquan Smart said. “I felt like today was our best defensive game all season since we played [Southern Illinois University] Edwardsville.”

Smart led the Redhawks tonight with 14 points and six rebounds. Sophomore guards Dylan Branson and Phillip Russell along with senior center Nate Johnson also finished the contest in double figures.

Freshman center Mason Hanback came in and impacted the game immediately, scoring eight of the last 17 Redhawk points in the last five minutes of the half. The Redhawks went into halftime with a 47-29 lead over the Panthers.

SEMO upheld their 18-point lead as they led EIU 61-43 halfway through the second half.

“Our guys responded and bounced back after Saturday’s game,” coach Korn said. “I think we knew we let one slip away. I just give them a ton of credit for being able to bounce back and play the way we needed to play on both sides of the ball.”

The Redhawks will be back in action at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Show Me Center. This will be SEMO’s last home game of the season.