E. Michigan 86, SE Missouri 82

2/23/2008 6:13 PM

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) -Jarred Axon scored a career-high 29 points and Carlos Medlock added 24, including 19 in the second half, to help Eastern Michigan defeat Southeast Missouri State 86-82 on Saturday.

Justin Dobbins also had 10 points for the Eagles (11-15), who have won three of their last four games and four straight at home.

Jaycen Herring had 19 points and Kenard Moore added 18 for the Redhawks (12-17). Southeast Missouri State has lost six consecutive games and 12 of its last 13.

After finishing the first half with a 10-4 run, Eastern Michigan opened the second half by scoring 18 of the first 23 points to take control of the game. Southeast Missouri State went 7:13 before making its first field goal of the half. The Redhawks, however, were able to stay close as the Eagles made just one field goal over the last 9:37.

Eastern Michigan stayed in front by making 16 of 18 free throw attempts over the final 4:02, including 12 of 14 by Medlock. The Eagles made a season-high 33 of 41 free throws.

The Redhawks made a late surge, hitting five 3-pointers in the last 61 seconds. Southeast Missouri State finished with 10 3-pointers, including six by Moore.

Southeast Missouri State hit 58.3 percent of its field goal attempts in the first half and led by as much as 10 points. But Eastern Michigan scored 14 of the final 18 points to close within 35-34 at halftime.