Cleveland scores 21, SE Missouri rocks UT Martin 90-61

Feb 18, 2018, 02:47 pm

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Antonius Cleveland scored 21 points and Southeast Missouri stifled Tennessee-Martin 90-61 on Saturday to make a late-season sprint toward the postseason, taking on the two teams ahead of it in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, back to back.

Southeast Missouri held defending OVC West champion UT Martin to 38 percent shooting (20 of 53) and made 12 steals that helped force 18 turnovers. The Redhawks scored 23 points off the turnovers and enjoyed a 15-0 advantage on fast-break points. The win lifts Southeast Missouri (13-16) into a second-place tie with UT Martin in the OVC West at 8-6. Murray State now leads the division at 8-5 and visits Southeast Missouri on Thursday.

Denzel Mahoney added 17 points for the Redhawks, Daniel Simmons scored 15 on five 3-pointers. Jamaal Calvin also scored 15 and had three steals as did Cleveland. Tahj Eaddy dished 11 assists.

Javier Martinez and Matthew Butler led UT Martin (18-11) with 12 points each.