Dec. 21, 2005

Final Stats

Jacksonville, Ala. - Trailing by 17 points early in the second half, the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks pulled within one twice late in the game but couldn't take the lead in an 82-72 road loss to Jacksonville State.

Southeast, 4-6 overall and 1-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference, trailed 44-30 at the half and fell behind 50-33 with 18:01 remaining before mounting a comeback. Behind the scoring of Roy Booker who finished with 23 points and Waylong Francis who had 11, the Redhawks pulled within one at 63-62 on a 3-pointer by Terrick Willoughby. A pair of free throws by Anthony Wilson kept the Gamecocks on top but after Paul Paradoski hit a pair of free throws to again pull the Redhawks to within 65-64 with 6:01 remaining, Booker had a chance to put Southeast on top but his breakaway layup fell off the rim and Jacksonville State held on for the win.

Jacksonville State, 5-4 overall and 3-1 in the OVC, was led by Walker Russell with 20 points while B.J. Spencer added 19 and Harold Crow a career-high 15.

Eric Burtin had 11 for the Redhawks while Andrais Thornton had 10. Thornton and Paradoski led Southeast rebounders with seven each.

The Redhawks return to action on Dec. 28 playing at unbeaten and nationally ranked Illinois. Tipoff for the game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU, will be 7 p.m.