Redhawks to welcome rival Lindenwood to town on Thursday

SEMO guard Rob Martin dribbles the ball during a recent game against Morehead State at the Show Me Center.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks are set to host the Lindenwood Lions at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Show Me Center.

Losers of three of their last five, the Redhawks will look to get to 2-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

Last time out, the Redhawks downed Bethel 71-61, and while it wasn’t easy, a win is a win no matter how it came.

“We came out slow today,” SEMO guard Evan Eursher said. “We had to pick it up in the second half and we came up with a win so that’s all that matters.”

A slow start is something the Redhawks simply cannot have against Lindenwood (6-9) if they want to come away with a win.

If playing at home isn’t enough energy, perhaps playing the rival Lions will provide a jolt.

“If we come out and play hard we can beat many teams by 15+,” Redhawks guard Rob Martin said.

The Redhawks will be hosting a desperate Lindenwood team who has yet to win a game in OVC play.

SEMO, behind leading scorer Rob Martin, who is averaging 12 points per game, boast a 6-2 record at home while the Lions are just 1-6 when hitting the road.

When it comes to slowing down the Lions, the name at the top of the scouting report will be Keenon Cole.

Cole is averaging 14.3 points per game on 42% shooting from the field while also shooting it at 35% from three-point range.

With Cole shouldering much of the load offensively, another threat for the Lions is Jeremiah Talton.

Talton averages 23 minutes per game and despite averaging 8 points per game, he shoots the three at 40% and he is an 89% free throw shooter.

In order to walk away with a win on Thursday evening, the Redhawks will need a heavy dose of Rob Martin offensively and they will need to find a way to turn the faucet off on Cole who has been a dynamic scorer for the Lions.

Tip off between the Redhawks and Lions is set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

Following Thursday’s contest, the Redhawks will hit the road to take on Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, in Cookeville, Tennessee.