Feb. 7, 2002

Box Score

MOREHEAD, Ky.- Morehead State built a 14-2 lead in the game's first four minutes and the Southeast Missouri State Otahkians, despite making a valiant comeback attempt, could never get over the hump and fell 79-72 on Thursday.

Morehead State (16-5 overall, 6-4 OVC) would open up as big of a 15-point lead before Southeast was able to make a mini-run and cut the halftime advantage to eight points.

Southeast (12-10, 4-7) was able to cut the lead to six points after the first possession of the second half thanks to a Tiffany Melis jumper in the lane. But every time Southeast got close, Morehead State would hit a big jumper to push the lead back at. The Otahkians pulled with five at 44-39 with 16:47 to play before Amy Spear hit a big three-pointers on back-to-back possessions to push the lead to 11.

Veronica Benson then scored five consecutive points to cut it back to five before Tasha Gales stepped out behind the three-point arc at nailed a three-pointer. Kandi Brown and Travece Turner would also hit three's over the next five minutes to push the advantage back to double digits.

Southeast would have once last run, with Morehead leading 73-62 with 3:09 to play. Iversen scored six of the team's next 10 points to cut the lead to only three points, 75-72, at the 21 second mark. Spear would then hit two free-throws and the Otahks turned the ball over as Morehead came away with the victory and cemented their position in fourth place in the OVC.

"We just couldn't get through their traps early in the game and our offense got disrupted," Coach Ed Arnzen said after the game. "I do want to give the kids credit though in that they did come out of the hole."

"Candice was a sparkplug tonight. She never says a word about not getting to play alot and she sure earned herself some more playing time tonight."

Southeast fell into a three-way tie for fifth with Murray State and Tennessee-Martin.

For the game, MSU tied a season-high with 11 made three-pointers, hitting 11-23 (47.8%). Morehead was also a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line. Southeast hit 47.5% of their field goals for the game and 12-15 (80%) at the line.

Lori Chase led Southeast with 23 points while adding 8 rebounds. Iversen added 18 and 9 rebounds. Benson scored 15.

Morehead was led by 19 from Turner, 15 from Spear, 14 from Gales and 12 points and 11 rebounds from center Frances Montgomery.

Southeast will be back in action, challenging the OVC's #1 team, Eastern Kentucky on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. CT.

Game Notes: Senior center Pam Iversen moved into 9th place on the all-time SEMO scoring list (1,077) and fourth on the SEMO rebounding list (724) ... Iversen still needs only one steal to become the 2nd OVC player to ever record 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, 150 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocks in a career ... LaShelle Porter recorded three assists to move into 10th place on the SEMO all-time assist list (201) ... Lori Chase needs only 6 points to become the 13th Otahkian to score 1,000 points in a career.