Nov. 24, 2001

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - In the first meeting in 20 years, the Southeast Missouri State Otahkians built a 31-point lead only to see Southern Illinois close within five points with 33 seconds left, but held on behind great clutch free-throw shooting to win 81-70 on Saturday night.

Early on it looked like Southeast (3-1 overall) would run the Salukis (1-2) out of the building. After the game was deadlocked at 4-4, the Otahkians went on a 23-2 run over the next nine minutes to extend their lead to 27-6 with 7:30 remaining before the break. The Southeast lead would grow to as many as 25 points on a free-throw by Lori Chase with 3:55 remaining before the half.

But SIU would make a late run before intermission, getting three, three-pointers in a minute and a half stretch to close the Southeast advantage to 17, but two three-pointers by reserve guard Kristy Roherty helped push the Otahk lead back to 24 at the break, 44-20.

In the first half, Southeast limited SIU to only 24.2% from the field and held the Salukis without a single free-throw attempt. Southeast, on the other hand, made 11-12 free-throws in the opening half.

Southeast looked in cruise control when Tiffany Melis hit a three-pointer to extend the lead to 29 points at the 18:15 mark of the second half. A Pam Iversen jumper with 15:20 to play extended the lead to its zenith at 59-28.

SIU wouldn't play dead, however, and managed a valiant comeback.

After going to a full-court press, the Salukis used a jumper by Holly Teague, and three-pointers from Teague and Danete Jones and a layout by Teague to pull within 21 with 13:32 to play. That sparked a 16-0 SIU run that cut the lead to 59-44 with 9:53 to play.

The Otahkians had trouble holding onto the ball in the full-court press and SIU capitalized. A Molly McDowell three-pointer with 5:05 to play brought SIU within nine, the closest they had been since the 13 minute mark of the first half.

Following a clutch LaShelle Porter three-pointer, her first of the season, a Jodi Heiden three-pointer at the 1:56 mark brought SIU within nine points once again, and following a Southeast shot-clock violation, Heiden made a jumper to pull the Salukis within seven.

A Teague basket with 33 seconds to play brought SIU within five points, the closest they would get all night.

Southeast would convert on 6-6 free-throws in the final 30 seconds to pull away to the 81-70 victory.

Lori Chase lead Southeast with 24 points on 8-12 shooting and was 8-9 at the line. She also pulled down eight rebounds and dished out three assists.

Porter added 13 points including 4-6 at the line, where she has struggled this season. Porter was only hitting 46% of her free-throws entering the contest.

Veronica Benson added 10 points for Southeast. Pam Iversen shared the team lead in rebounds with Chase by grabbing eight of her own.

SIU was led by Teague's 22 points and five assists. McDowell chipped in 16 on 3-6 three-point shooting and Heiden added 11.

Southeast shot 52.9% for the game as compared to SIU's 36.2%. The Otahkians did, however, turn the ball over 22 times, after only having six giveaways at the break.

The Otahkians will now start a four-game road stretch with a 6:00 p.m. game at Lipscomb in Nashville on Tuesday.