Record-breaking victory: SEMO Redhawks extend winning streak with win over WIU

The SEMO men’s basketball team defeated the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Feb. 25, by a score of 87-66, increasing their winning streak to 8, making it the longest winning streak in SEMO's history.

The Redhawks entered into this game on a 7-game winning streak, sitting at the top of the OVC, and after Thursday night's win, they still remain at the top and have improved to 13-4 in conference play.

The stat sheet was filled for the home team, with 5 players in double figures, and two career nights for players, junior forward Brendan Terry and junior guard Rob Martin.

At the half, Terry led all players with 17 points and 6 rebounds. He finished the game with 25 points and 9 rebounds on the night, giving him a career-high in points scored.

Terry was asked about his mentality that allows him to deliver big performances on the court.

“I feel like I’m probably, if not the best, one of the best bigs in the league and I feel like I can just do something like this similar every game and dominate someone,” Terry said.

SEMO’s head coach, Brad Korn, commented on Terry’s performance, saying the forward has many attributes that contribute to his performance.

“He’s kind of the new modern age 5 man, he’s smart, he’s tough, wants to be coached, it’s a recipe for success,” Korn said.

Rob Martin, junior point guard, finished the game with a double-double with 11 assists, (career- high), and 10 points.

Martin spoke on how he is able to get everyone involved all while finding his own spots to score.

“I got a lot of guys around me that can score the ball at a high level so just getting them involved and just finding them in their spots,” Martin said.

With two dominating halves, SEMO closed the game out on a 3-point basket from Rob Martin to end the game 87-66.

As a team, they matched a season high in 3-pointers made, shot 50% beyond the arc and 50% from the field. The team also ended with 22 assists, half of them coming from Rob Martin (11).

Coach Korn was questioned following the game regarding the difference between this season's current 18-10 team and last year's 9-22 team.

“We just got an atmosphere where they wanna come everyday, they get extra work, we have fun, we joke with them, but when it’s time to get serious, it’s time to get serious, that’s what I like about them… I don't just wanna be good, I wanna be great,” said Korn.

The Redhawks next game is Feb. 22 at 3:35 p.m. here in Cape Girardeau, MO at the Show Me Center as they prepare to take on Lindenwood University.