EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Mark Yelovich and Jerome Jones combined to score 43 points Thursday, and SIUE men's basketball won for the third time in four games, defeating Southeast Missouri 80-77 in Ohio Valley Conference action at the Vadalabene Center.

"I thought our defense was key tonight. we got some stops that led to easy buckets on the other end," SIUE Head Coach Lennox Forrester said.  "I also thought we executed offensively as well. We got some wide open shots instead of having to take bad shots."

The win moved the Cougars, now 7-10 overall and 3-4 in the OVC, into second place in the OVC West Division just ahead of SEMO.

The Cougars used a 26-4 run over a nearly 12-minute span of the second half to erase a nine-point SEMO lead. A three-pointer by Jones gave SIUE its largest lead at 65-52.

Yelovich poured in a season-high 24 points. He connected on 9 of 15 field goals, setting season highs for made baskets and attempts. Yelovich also led SIUE with eight rebounds, tying his season high.

"It's nice to have Mark back healthy," Forrester said of the senior. "He's a tough guy to guard for other teams, and our offense needs him to be healthy going forward."

Jones finished with 19 points. He was 6 of 11 from the floor and drained 4 of 7 three-point attempts. Michael Messer and Kris Davis also scored in double figures for the Cougars.  Messer had 13 points and added three assists, while Davis finished with 12 points. Davis was 2 for 3 from three-point range.

As a team, SIUE hit 7 of 11 three-pointers for the game.

Corey Wilford paced the Redhawks, now 11-11 overall and 3-5 in the OVC. Wilford scored 21 points and hit three three-pointers. Marland Smith scored 15 points. A.J. Jones chipped in 12, and Tyler Stone scored 11. Stone led Southeast Missouri with seven rebounds.

SEMO led 43-39 at halftime and stretched the lead to nine at 48-39 on a free throw by Stone with 19:06 left in the game. A jumper from Messer with 17:22 to play cut the lead to 48-41 and started the Cougars' run.

"SEMO made a run in the second half because of some of our turnovers," Forrester added. "I'm proud of the way our guys hung in there and pulled out the win."

The 80 points scored by SIUE is one off the Cougars' season high. SIUE shot 51.9 percent (27-52) from the field for the game. The Redhawks were 29-60 from the floor for 48.3 percent. SIUE outrebounded SEMO 37-30.

The Cougars continue a three-game home stand with UT Martin Saturday night at 7.

"We've got tonight to enjoy this win, but come practice time tomorrow our focus will be on Tennessee-Martin," Forrester said. "Our guys have to be mentally tough and prepared for Saturday."