STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Southeastern men’s basketball team fell to 0-3 on the season after losing a defensive struggle, 54-43, to Tarleton State, host of the Tarleton Texan Tip-off Classic Saturday.

The Storm was held to just 16 first-half points after going 5-of-20 from the field and entered the second half staring at a 13-point deficit. Tarleton State never gave up its lead, and led by as much as 19 (39-20) after beginning the second period on a 10-4 run.

SE answered with a 7-0 run that included back-to-back lay-ups by Chibuzo Elonu and a 3-point play by Mychal Horn. Horn scored nine of his game-high 19 points over the next six minutes. Will Robinson went for five unanswered to cap a 7-0 run that brought SE back within single digits at 48-41 at the 4:09 mark.

SE was held without a field goal for the next two-and-a-half minutes while Tarleton State built a 54-41 lead. Horn put the final points of the game on the board with a lay-up at the 1:35 mark.

Tarleton State was led by Jeremiah Wilson, who scored 16 points off the bench for the Texans. TSU’s Effran Bryant was the only other player for either team in double figures with 12 points.

Will Slones led SE with a game-high 12 rebounds, along with six points and four blocked shots. Elonu added six points with three assists and a pair of steals.

SE will open at home 7 p.m. Wednesday against Science and Art of Oklahoma.