Redhawks defeat TSU in quarterfinals of OVC tournament

The SEMO men’s basketball team led wire-to-wire in their commanding 79-55 win over Tennessee State University (TSU) in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.

The Redhawks began the game on a 13-0 run after capitalizing on their hot shooting and TSUs fouls, knocking down 11 three-pointers in the win.

SEMO also outrebounded TSU 47-32.

Junior Eric Reed Jr. led the team with 22 points, one assist and four rebounds.

“My teammates basically paved the way for me,” Reed Jr. said. “They created a lot of my shots, so I [have] to give credit to them”

Junior Eric Reed Jr. going up for a shot attempt against TSU.Submitted photo by Jan Salmon

Senior Manny Patterson started the game off with a dunk and ended with 19 points, three assists and 10 rebounds.

Redhawk’s head coach Brad Korn said the team was engaged in the game by contesting shots and rebounding the ball.

“If we get that side of the ball, playing the way we did today to go along with our offense, we’re a tough out,” Korn said. “I think that’s been our calling card really the last month and a half of the season.”

This is the first time the Redhawks have been in the OVC Tournament in 17 years; the teams last appearance was in 2005.

The Redhawks will face off against #1 seed Murray State University at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 4 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.