Adewunmi, Williford lead SIU-Edwardsville past SEMO 84-65

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Mike Adewunmi and Tyresse Williford combined to score 45 points and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville broke a five-game losing streak Thursday night, defeating Southeast Missouri State 84-65.

Adewunmi was 7-for-9 shooting, including 4-for-5 from distance, for a career-high 23 points with seven rebounds while Williford added a season-best 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field and added nine assists.

Williford gave the Cougars a 20-point lead late in the first half and SIU-Edwardsville (5-15, 2-5 Ohio Valley Conference) went into the break with a 38-18 lead, holding the Redhawks (4-16, 0-7) to 22% shooting (5-for-23) and a season-low 18 halftime points. Williford and Adewunmi each scored 11 before halftime.

Alex Caldwell scored 15 points and DQ Nicholas added 12 for the Redhawks, who didn’t get closer than 16 in the second half. Southeast Missouri State has lost its last seven games.

Southern Illinois-Edwardsville faces UT Martin at home on Saturday. Southeast Missouri plays Eastern Illinois on the road on Saturday.