Govs 'D' does it to Indians

Austin Peay again put the defensive clamps on Southeast Missouri State University.

And as a result of Saturday night's 63-56 win at the Show Me Center, the Governors stayed clearly in the hunt for an Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title and made sure the Indians can finish no better than seventh in the nine-team league.

The Govs (18-7, 11-3) held Southeast (10-17, 4-10) to 35.7-percent shooting in spoiling the Indians' final home game of the season. During an earlier 62-49 loss to the Govs in Clarksville, Tenn., Southeast shot just 29.8 percent.

"They're a very good defensive team," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "You have to give them credit."

Austin Peay remained in second place in the OVC, 1 1/2 games behind Morehead State (19-7, 13-2). The Govs host the Eagles in next Saturday's final regular-season game. If they win that one, and also beat Eastern Kentucky (11-15, 5-10) Thursday, Austin Peay will clinch a share of the regular-season title and also earn the No. 1 seed for the OVC Tournament.

"If we take care of our business, we're going to be up there," Austin Peay coach Dave Loos said.

Indians in eighth place

Southeast is in eighth place, one-half game behind Eastern Kentucky. The Indians have two games remaining while the Colonels have just one. Southeast is assured of traveling to either Morehead State or Austin Peay for a first-round OVC Tournament contest on March 4.

"We need to get some wins going into the tournament," Southeast sophomore guard Brett Hale said.

Hale scored 17 points Saturday and fellow sophomore guard Derek Winans led the Indians with 19 points. Junior center Brandon Griffin scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds while sophomore point guard Kevin Roberts recorded eight assists.

"They're a really good defensive team. They make you work for all the shots," Hale said. "It was a tough game."

For Austin Peay, which shot 56.8 percent from the field, junior forward Adrian Henning led the way with 18 points. Junior center Josh Lewis and sophomore guard Anthony Davis both added 14 points.

"It was a dogfight," Henning said. "I knew SEMO would give us a tough game."

The Indians, although they held two early six-point leads, trailed most of the night, including 26-22 at halftime.

Austin Peay opened up a 31-22 lead early in the second half, then stayed ahead until Winans' 17-footer with 5:55 remaining put Southeast on top 49-48.

But Henning regained the lead for Austin Peay just 25 seconds later and the Govs never looked back.