Southeast Missouri State entered Lantz Arena on a six game losing streak, and its tremendous shooting in the first 13 minutes would lead it to its sixth victory of the year.

Eastern’s men’s basketball team lost to SEMO for the second time this season, after the Redhawks shot over 70 percent for the first 13 minutes of the game. The hot shooting put SEMO up by 14 with 7:27 remaining in the first half. The Panthers would not see the lead for the rest of the game.

Eastern head coach Mike Miller said the team played well, but it is tough to win when the opponents shoot that well from the field.

“(SEMO) made some hard shots early and they got out in front of us a little bit,” Miller said. “Every time we got back into the game, we would have a breakdown and they would capitalize on it.”

The Redhawks hot shooting continued throughout the game as they finished the game shooting 52 percent from the field. Eastern did not fair as well shooting the ball, as it finished the game shooting 41 percent.

Miller said every time the Panthers would cut into the lead, it seemed SEMO had an answer for them.

Eastern struggled to get to the foul line for the second consecutive game. Against Jacksonville State, the Panthers attempted five free throws, while against the Redhawks they attempted 10, making seven. SEMO was 18-25 from the foul line.

Miller said the free throw discrepancy was one of the main reasons the Panthers lost.

“We are not putting enough pressure on the defense because we are not getting to the foul line,” Miller said.

Despite the loss, junior guard Jeremy Granger tied his career-high with 29 points. He also added four rebounds, two steals and he made four shots from the three-point line.

The loss extends the Panthers losing streak to four games and brings their overall record to 8-14 and their OVC record to 4-8, while SEMO improves to 6-17 overall and 5-8 in conference.

The Panthers have a quick turnaround as the take on the defending OVC champion Murray State, today at 7 p.m. in Lantz Arena.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or rdmortell@eiu.edu