EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a pivotal Ohio Valley Conference clash with postseason implications, Morehead State staged a dramatic second-half comeback to edge Southeast Missouri State 66-61 on Friday night at Ford Center.

The game, witnessed by 1,487 fans, saw the Eagles overcome a seven-point halftime deficit behind a dominant performance from forward Anouar Mellouk. The outcome pushed both teams to 20-win seasons, with Morehead State improving to 20-12 and Southeast Missouri State dropping to 20-13.

Southeast Missouri State, the pregame favorite, controlled the first half with efficient offense and led 36-29 at the break. The Redhawks opened the game with a burst, as Braxton Stacker and Landren Blocker connected on early three-pointers to establish an advantage. Morehead State struggled to find consistent offense outside of George Marshall’s perimeter shooting, while the Redhawks’ Luke Almodovar and Stacker provided steady scoring.

The complexion of the game shifted decisively after halftime. Morehead State’s defense intensified, and the offense began to run through the 6-foot-8 Mellouk. The junior from Amsterdam, Netherlands, was unstoppable in the paint, scoring 16 of his game-high 22 points in the second half. His array of hook shots, floaters, and putbacks fueled a 37-25 scoring edge for the Eagles over the final 20 minutes.

Southeast Missouri State’s offense, which flowed smoothly in the first half, grew stagnant. The Redhawks shot poorly from the field after intermission, and their 13-point lead from early in the second period evaporated under Morehead State’s relentless pressure. A key sequence saw Mellouk block a shot on one end and convert a hook shot on the other, part of a personal run that brought the Eagles back.

The game tightened into a tense, back-and-forth affair in the final five minutes. With Morehead State clinging to a 60-59 lead, Chase Dawson hit a crucial pull-up jumper with 27 seconds remaining to extend the advantage to three. Southeast Missouri State’s ensuing possession ended in a turnover, and after a series of timeouts and fouls, Morehead State’ George Marshall and Josiah LeGree sealed the victory at the free-throw line.

Mellouk’s final line included 22 points and two blocks in 36 minutes. He was supported by Marshall’s 14 points and Jon Carroll’s 10 points and three blocks, the latter’s defensive presence altering numerous Redhawk attempts near the rim.

For Southeast Missouri State, Braxton Stacker led the way with 17 points and two blocks. Luke Almodovar added 13 points, and Brendan Terry contributed nine points off the bench. The Redhawks’ guards, however, combined for a difficult shooting night against Morehead State’s lengthened defense.

The most critical phase of the game was undoubtedly the final minute. After Dawson’s jumper made it a three-point game, Southeast Missouri State needed a score. Out of a timeout, the Redhawks’ inbounds play broke down, resulting in a costly turnover by Marqueas Bell that was stolen by Marshall. The ensuing fouls allowed Morehead State to ice the game from the charity stripe, culminating a 15-5 closing run over the last 4:41 of regulation.

The win completed a regular-season split for the Eagles, who avenged an 82-70 loss to the Redhawks just a month prior. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Southeast Missouri State entered with a 60.1% probability to win and was installed as a 2.5-point favorite. The combined point total of 127 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 142.5.

Morehead State, now riding a two-game winning streak, will look to carry the momentum into its regular-season finale at Tennessee State on Saturday. Southeast Missouri State concludes its conference schedule with this result, its two-game win streak snapped heading into the OVC tournament.