Jan. 29, 2008

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By Tyler Koonce, Assistant Men's Basketball Contact

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State (12-11, 7-6 OVC) men's basketball defeated Austin Peay (13-9, 9-3 OVC), 121-116 in triple overtime Tuesday night in a nationally televised Ohio Valley Conference game on ESPNU. The two teams combined for 237 points, which set a new Show Me Center record. The Redhawks were led by Jaycen Herring, who registered his first career double-double with career highs of 29 points and 12 rebounds. Kenard Moore also added career highs with 28 points and seven three-pointers.

Southeast got out to a 45-37 halftime lead behind Moore's hot shooting from behind the arc. For the second consecutive game, he made four treys during the first half. Moore led the team with 14 points in the initial 20 minutes. Michael Rembert added 13 points and five rebounds of his own.

Austin Peay was paced by Derek Wright, who led the first half scoring with 16 points, including a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. Wes Channel added seven first half points off the bench in only nine minutes played for the Governors.

In the second half, Austin Peay pulled to within one at 49-48 during the first four minutes before the Redhawks began stretching out the lead. Southeast held its biggest lead of the evening at 72-59 with 7:42 left in regulation, but the Governors continued to battle back. Austin Peay cut into the lead over the final seven minutes and tied the game at 81 after two good free throws from Fernandez Lockett with 35 seconds remaining. Both teams held on defense during the next two possesssions, sending the game into an extra period tied at 81.

Marcus Rhodes led the Redhawks with 11 second half points while Herring and Moore added six each. Herring also pulled down five rebounds in the second frame.

Reigning OVC Player of the Year Drake Reed carried the Governors in the second half with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Lockett added 10 points and Wright scored seven, all from the free throw line, in the second period.

Both teams traded baskets during the first three minutes of the first overtime. Herring pushed the Southeast lead to 92-89 by converting two free throws with 49 seconds left. Wright answered for Austin Peay with his third three-pointer of the game only eight seconds later. Again, the defenses held and the contest went to a second overtime tied at 92. Herring scored nine of the Redhawks 11 points during the first overtime. Wright added seven points in the first extra period for the Governors.

Kenard Moore scored a career-high 28 points on 8-12 shooting (7-10 from three-point range) vs. Austin Peay

The second overtime was much the same story. Again, the teams went back-and-forth with the margin never reaching more than three for either side during the second extra frame. Wright put the Governors ahead 100-98 with a three-point play with 1:20 left. Southeast answered back when Moore made good on two free throws nine seconds later. Lockett and Johnny Hill would both add single free throws for their respective squads with over 50 seconds remaining to tie the game at 101. The score would hold up over the last minute and the teams headed for a third extra period.

Moore made his game-best seventh three-pointer 12 seconds into the third overtime and the Redhawks would never relinquish the lead. After Austin Peay had pulled to within one, Hank Harris made two free throws to put Southeast ahead 108-105 with 2:55 remaining. Hill and Will Bogan followed with layups to push the lead to four with 1:55 left before Lockett converted a three-point play at the 1:12 mark, pulling the Governors to within one at 112-111. Harris would answer back with a three-pointer three seconds later and after a defensive stop, the junior college transfer made two free throws to increase the lead to six with 29 seconds left. Herring and Harris would each add two more free throws to make the lead 121-113 with six seconds remaining. Wright made his fifth three of the night for Austin Peay at the buzzer to make the final 121-116.

Herring set career highs with a double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds. He was 9-16 from the field and 8-12 from the line. Moore also set career highs with 28 points and seven three-pointers. Over the last two games, he has made 11 shots from behind the arc. Rembert finished with a season-high 17 points to go along with nine boards. Rhodes scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Harris scored nine of his 12 points in the third overtime. He was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line and 2-2 from three-point range.

Wright led the Governors with a game and career-high of 43 points on 11-26 shooting, including 16-20 from the charity stripe and 5-12 from long range. He also added a game-best seven steals. Reed notched a double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Lockett also registered a double-double behind 19 points and 13 boards. Todd Babington chipped in nine points on three treys.

Southeast currently sits in sixth place in the OVC. The Redhawks return to conference action on Saturday with a 7:30 p.m. contest against Tennessee-Martin at the Show Me Center. Earlier in the day, the Southeast women's team will play on national television against the Skyhawks in a 3 p.m. home contest on ESPNU. Fans attending the women's game will be granted re-entry for the men's contest.