Southeast Rally Falls Short In Loss To Southern Illinois

Dec. 19, 2004

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Southern Illinois held off a late Southeast Missouri rally to claim a 72-68 win at the Show Me Center Saturday night.

The Salukis held a six point lead with less than a minute to play but Dainmon Gonner hit a long three with 30-seconds remaining to pull the Indians within 68-65. Jamaal Tatum canned two free throws with 29-seconds remaining, but Derek Winans countered with a 3-pointer to make the score 70-68 with 21-seconds remaining.

When Stetson Hairston missed the front end of a 1 and 1 free throw with 19-seconds remaining, Southeast had the ball with a chance to tie or win. Derek Winans put up a baseline jumper with six-seconds remaining but the shot was blocked out of bounds by Randal Falker. Dainmon Gonner took the inbounds pass, but missed a short jumper with three-seconds remaining and Tony Young sealed the victory with two free throws.

Darren Brooks led SIU scorers with 19 points while Tatum added 18. Gonner led Southeast with 22 points while Reggie Golson added 17.

Southern Illinois, the three-time defending Missouri Valley Conference champion, is now 7-2 while Southeast is 3-5. The Indians play at North Texas on Wedensday.