Southeast Comeback Falls Short Against Morehead State, 82-78 :: Redhawks cut a 20-point deficit to two with five seconds remaining

Jan. 24, 2008

By Tyler Koonce, Assistant Men's Basketball Contact

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State (11-10, 6-5 OVC) pulled to within two points with five seconds remaining after trailing by as many as 20 points but fell just short, 82-78, to Morehead State (9-9, 7-4 OVC) in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup Thursday night at the Show Me Center.

Morehead got out to a 34-22 halftime lead behind 11 points from Jamyron Steward, including 2-3 shooting from three-point range. Leon Buchanan added seven points while Kenneth Faried pulled down eight rebounds. Maze Stallworth and Demonte Harper each chipped in five points for the Eagles during the first 20 minutes.

Southeast was paced by Roderick Pearson with five first half points, including perfect 3-3 shooting from the charity stripe. Jaycen Herring scored four points of his own.

Morehead stretched the lead to 20 points with 14:08 remaining before the Redhawks mounted their comeback. Southeast pulled with nine on a layup by Jaycen Herring at the 2:55 mark and cut the deficit to two points at 80-78 with five seconds left on two good free throws by Herring.

Maze Stallworth converted two free throws to push the lead to four and seal the game for the Eagles.

Herring led the Redhawks with a game-high 23 points on 9-12 shooting from the field and 4-7 at the free throw line. Calvin Williams scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Pearson and Kenard Moore both finished with nine points.

Stallworth and Steward led Morehead with 21 points each. Faried and Stallworth pulled down a game-best nine rebounds.

Southeast returns to play on Saturday in a nationally televised OVC contest at Murray State. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Regional Special Events Center in Murray and the game will be broadcast by ESPN2.