Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Billy Reader registered a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Morehead State Eagles slipped by the Southeast Missouri Redhawks, 79-74, in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at Municipal Auditorium.

Also scoring in double figures for fifth-seeded Morehead State (16-16) were Angelo Warner with 16 points, followed by Corban Collins and Karam Mashour with 12 apiece. With the victory the Eagles now advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday to challenge fourth-seeded UT Martin.

The eighth-seeded Redhawks (13-17) were paced by Jarekious Bradley who posted a game-high 23 points and added eight rebounds before fouling out. Antonius Cleveland was responsible for 14 points and seven boards, Isiah Jones 13 points and Jamaal Calvin 11 in the losing cause.

SEMO opened the meeting on a 5-0 run and shot an impressive 54.5 percent from the floor through the first 20 minutes of action, but had to settle for a 35-35 tie at the break.

After converting 42.9 percent from the floor in the first half, Morehead State moved to 46.7 percent but, more importantly, knocked down 14-of-20 at the free-throw line in order to steal away the victory.

In a game that featured a staggering 18 ties and 17 lead changes, the Eagles turned 17 turnovers by SEMO into 15 points.