Jan 26, 2002

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (January 26, 2002) - Nick Stapleton hit a long three-pointer with 14 seconds remaining to help Austin Peay overcome a tough Southeast Missouri team 68-67 on Saturday afternoon.

Southeast (3-16 overall, 1-7 OVC) started the game with another outstanding first half, leading 9-2 four minutes into the game and by as many as 16 points at 31-15 with 4:58 remaining before halftime. But Austin Peay (10-12, 5-3) used an18-4 run to end the half, including scoring the last 11 points of the first period.

The second half was much more tightly contested as the lead changed hands 10 times and the game was tied nine other times. Southeast was able to gain a four-point advantage after Tim Scheer converted on a three-point play and Demetrius King made two free-throws to make the score 63-59 with 3:45 remaining.

Stapleton, an All-OVC preseason selection and second leading scorer in the league, scored seven of the game's final nine points, including the heartbreaking three-pointer for SEMO, to push the Governors to the victory.

Derek Winans had a field goal attempt at the buzzer that would have given Southeast the victory but the attempt fell short.

Stapleton led all scorers with 28 points on 12-19 shooting, including 2-2 from three-point range.

The Indians were led by 14 points from Scheer, 12 from Winans and 10 apiece from King and Daniel Weaver