Southeastern Oklahoma State shot 55.9 percent (33-59) from the field and led nearly the entire game as the Savage Storm downed Wayne State 91-78 Friday evening in the NSIC/GAC Challenge Men's Basketball Tournament played at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.
The Wildcats held the lead just once all night, 16-15 at the 12:23 mark following a 3-pointer from Nick Ferrarini.
Southeastern Oklahoma State then went on a 10-1 run to take their biggest lead of the first half at 25-17.
WSC cut the lead down to one a couple of times and was within one at 35-34 until the Savage Storm finished the first half with a 41-36 lead.
The Savage Storm went on an 11-2 run early in the second half to take a double digit advantage at 54-42 and increased the lead to 17 at 61-44.
Wayne State made one last run at Southeastern Oklahoma State and reduced the Savage Storm lead to seven at 69-62 with eight minutes to play.
But SEOSU pushed the lead back to 15 at 79-64 and the Savage Storm led by double figures the rest of the way for a 91-78 win.
Justin Eagins had 21 points on 7 of 13 shooting to lead Wayne State followed by Jordan Janssen with 20 and Nick Ferrarini 18.
Wayne State shot 42.5 percent from the field making 31 of 73 shots. The 'Cats were 9 for 23 behind the arc and just 7 for 9 at the charity stripe.
Brennen Burns poured in a game-high 27 points for Southeastern Oklahoma State followed by Jett Sternberger with 25. Kyle Leslie (13), Robert Briley (12) and Kody Clouet (10) also hit double figures for the Savage Storm.
SEOSU shot 65 percent in the second half (17-26) and finished the game making 33 of 59 shots for 55.9 percent. The Savage Storm were 6 of 17 from 3-point range and 19 of 20 at the free throw line.
Southeastern Oklahoma State held a 35-34 edge in rebounding over the Wildcats. Janssen and Cody McCullough had nine rebounds each for the Wildcats.
Wayne State will face Oklahoma Baptist Saturday evening at 6 p.m. in the NSIC/GAC Challenge in Wayne.
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