MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — Southeast Missouri State built a large first-half lead and withstood a furious Western Illinois comeback to win 78-74 in an Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Western Hall.

The Redhawks led 36-29 at halftime and by as many as 15 before the Leathernecks’ second-half surge, fueled by 45 points after intermission, closed the gap. Lucas Lorenzen led all scorers with 20 points for Western Illinois. Brendan Terry paced Southeast Missouri State with 16 points, while Marqueas Bell added 15.

The Redhawks improved to 12-10. Western Illinois fell to 4-18. Attendance was 527.