LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive struggle where offensive rhythm was scarce, the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks made just enough plays down the stretch to secure a 70-65 victory over the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Jack Stephens Center.

The game, witnessed by 3,270 fans, was a rematch of a Jan. 22 contest that also ended with a 70-65 scoreline in favor of the visiting team, though the roles were reversed from that meeting in Cape Girardeau.

Saturday’s affair was defined by missed shots and tenacious defense. Both teams combined to shoot under 40% from the field, with Southeast Missouri State converting 25 of 56 attempts and Arkansas-Little Rock managing just 22 of 58. The three-point line offered little relief, as the Redhawks hit 5 of 22 and the Trojans 4 of 15.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minutes. Holding a narrow lead, Southeast Missouri State saw Arkansas-Little Rock’s Johnathan Lawson cut the deficit to 58-56 with a pull-up jumper with just over five minutes remaining. The Trojans then seized momentum when Joseph Thomas buried a three-pointer off a Lawson assist, tying the game at 61 with 4:06 left.

Tuongthach Gatkek then gave the Trojans their first lead since early in the second half, finishing a layup on a feed from Braxton Bayless to make it 63-61 with 3:32 on the clock. The Redhawks, however, responded with resilience. Braxton Stacker hit a crucial jump shot to knot the score again, and after a Gatkek turnover forced by Marqueas Bell, Bell drew a foul and made two free throws to put Southeast Missouri State ahead for good at 65-63 with 1:28 remaining.

Arkansas-Little Rock had opportunities in the chaotic final minute. Bayless drove for a layup and a subsequent free throw to pull within 67-66 with 1:15 left. After a missed free throw by Southeast Missouri State’ BJ Ward, the Trojans had a chance to take the lead, but Lawson committed a costly turnover with 26 seconds left. Southeast Missouri State’s Blaize Sagna was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to three.

The Trojans’ final attempt to force overtime ended with a missed three-pointer by Joseph Thomas as time expired, allowing the Redhawks to escape with the road win.

Southeast Missouri State (18-11) was led by a balanced scoring effort. Marqueas Bell scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Luke Almodovar added 13 points and five rebounds. Braxton Stacker just missed a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, and Brendan Terry and Troy Cole each chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Arkansas-Little Rock (11-18) was carried by the interior duo of Kachi Nzeh and Johnathan Lawson. Nzeh finished with a game-high 16 points and five rebounds. Lawson filled the stat sheet with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Gatkek was a defensive force, blocking four shots to go with 10 points and six rebounds.

The first half set the tone for the defensive battle, with Arkansas-Little Rock taking a 32-30 lead into halftime despite shooting 34% from the field. The Trojans maintained a slim advantage for much of the second half until the Redhawks’ decisive final push.

Southeast Missouri State improved to 18-11 overall, while Arkansas-Little Rock fell to 11-18. The Redhawks next host Tennessee Tech on Feb. 28. The Trojans continue their homestand, facing Morehead State on Feb. 26 and Southern Indiana on Feb. 28.