Nov. 30, 2003

Missoula, Montana - Southeast Missouri State claimed the consolation game of the Montana Holiday Classic by beating favored UC Santa Barbara, 77-75.

Southeast, 3-1, rallied in the second half after trailing by six points, 52-46 with 12:34 remaining. The Indians went on a 10-4 4un to tie the game at 56-56 with 7:41 remaining and took the lead for good at 58-56 on a jumper by Brandon Griffin who scored six straight points to put Southeast up 62-56.

The Gauchos pulled within three at 65-62, but Brett Hale came off the Southeast bench to score 10 straight points to keep the Indians on top.

Dainmon Gonner led Southeast with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. Griffin and Derek Winans each added 14 points while Hale had 12 and Norman Prather 10.

Jacoby Atako had 23 points to lead the Gauchos who are picked to win the Big West Conference and are ranked 11th nationally among mid-major teams by Insider.com.

Southeast will be back in action on Wednesday night when the Indians try to end SIU-Carbondale's 28 game home win streak in a 7:05 p.m. game at the SIU Arena in Carbondale.