Ball movement, superb shooting leads SEMO to victory

Aquan Smart (3) and Braxton Stacker (44) prepare for an offensive possession during Sunday's game against Lindsey Wilson College.

Photo Courtesy of Carrie Trovillion - Freelance Photographer

The SEMO Redhawks men’s basketball team defeated NAIA opponent Lindsey Wilson College 87-59 on Sunday at the Show Me Center. The Redhawks used 50% or better shooting from the field and the three-point line while totaling 20 assists. SEMO head coach Brad Korn said he likes the team to focus on assisting because of how much it helps the offense.

“The last two years I think we've led the league in assists or been number two so we try to lead the league in assists. It just helps everything work, I think that's kind of what got us in a little bit of a lull in the first half, we weren't sharing it as much,” Korn said. “But then in the second half to have only three turnovers and maybe 11 assists, that's pretty positive.”

SEMO was led on offense by junior guard Aquan Smart who had a game-high 18 points, seven rebounds and five of those assists. Two of Smart’s points came from a thunderous dunk, almost causing the crowd to blow the roof off of the Show Me Center. Sophomore guards Braxton Stacker and Rob Martin added 13 and 12 points respectively while shooting a combined 5-8 from behind the arc.

Smart said the defense the Blue Raiders played allowed him to find open shots.

“I just played with pace I just saw a lot of things open, they went under a lot of ball screens so getting into the mid-range and getting to the basket was a main emphasis. I feel like I saw that a lot,” Smart said.

The Redhawks got back junior guard Dylan Branson who missed the first 10 games with a foot injury. Branson had four rebounds and four assists along with two points and a steal in his limited minutes of action. Branson said it felt good to be back and once he gets back into game shape he will be able to help the team more.

“It felt good to be out there I felt a little out of rhythm and a little bit out of shape but all those things are gonna come back with time. I think as I play some more games I should become a lot more comfortable,” Branson said.

Toward the end of the game, Redhawks junior guard TJ Biel took a shot to the face and his forehead was cut. Biel was transported to the hospital and received stitches but no further information is known at this time.

SEMO will have one more non-conference game at Illinois State on Thursday before returning to the Show Me Center on Dec. 29 to begin Ohio Valley Conference play against Southern Indiana at 7:30 p.m.