INDIANS SWIPE VICTORY IN FINAL SECONDS: SOUTHEAST EDGES ARKANSAS STATE 76-75

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Kahn Cotton is a native of Arkansas but he had never played a collegiate game in his home state.

And Arkansas State probably wished Cotton had stayed away from the Convocation Center Tuesday night.

Southeast Missouri State University's senior guard hit an unbelievable driving layup with 2.7 seconds left to give the Indians a stunning 76-75 victory in front of 6,433 fans.

The non-conference victory -- Southeast's third straight road triumph -- gives the Indians a 5-2 record heading into Thursday night's Ohio Valley Conference home game against Eastern Kentucky.

ASU Indians, the defending Sun Belt Conference champion and one of the league favorites this year, fell to 3-4.

"It's just a tremendous win for us," said Southeast coach Gary Garner.

And, although a host of Indians played big roles, it was made possible at the finish by Cotton, a native of North Little Rock.

ASU had taken a 75-74 lead on Antonio Harvey's basket with 1:17 left.

After a Southeast miss, ASU had a chance to pad its lead, but couldn't. Bud Eley rebounded a miss and Southeast called a timeout with 16 seconds remaining.

Cotton, handling the ball, was supposed to look for Roderick Johnson posting up inside. But the play broke down, so Cotton -- with the clock winding down -- had no choice but to take it himself.

Cotton drove the baseline and elevated near the basket with the ball in his right hand. Two ASU defenders converged on him, so he changed hands in mid-air and -- suspended almost directly in front of the basket -- laid the ball softly off the glass with his left hand. It settled into the net with 2.7 seconds remaining.

ASU still had a chance and brilliant 5-foot-6 guard Chico Fletcher sped the length of the court. But his off-balance shot from about 17 feet was a bit short and the buzzer sounded to set off a wild Southeast celebration.

Cotton tried to explain the final, frantic seconds.

"We tried to post Rod up, but it didn't look like I'd be able to make a good pass," he said. "I just drove and one of their big guys tried to block it so I had to change hands. It's a great win for us."

Cotton said he had about 10 or 12 friends and relatives in the stands -- including younger brother Kishan, a starting cornerback for the ASU football team.

"It feels good to beat a team from Arkansas," said Cotton with a grin. "This is my first time playing here (in Arkansas)."

Garner, describing the final play, said, "Arkansas State took it completely away from us. Then you have to rely on your players. Kahn made a tremendous play."

Five players scored in double figures for Southeast. Mike Branson led the way with 17 points, followed by Cory Johnson with 15, R. Johnson and Eley with 11 apiece and Cotton with 10.

Fletcher, last season's Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, scored 28 points and had six assists to go along with five steals in a dazzling performance.

"I can see why he's the Sun Belt Player of the Year," Garner said. "He's a great player."

Southeast hit six of 11 3-pointers, Branson making all three of his attempts and C. Johnson sinking three of five.

The visiting Indians also excelled from the free-throw line, making 26 of 33 (79 percent). C. Johnson was six-for-six to remain perfect on the season with 20 of 20. Also perfect from the line Tuesday were R. Johnson (five-for-five), Cotton (four-for-four) and Brian Bunche (three-for-three).

Bunche gave Southeast a huge first-half lift. Questionable prior to the game with a sprained ankle, he scored seven points in 12 first-half minutes as Eley got into early foul trouble.

"What a courageous performance by Brian," said Garner. "He was hurting out there but he wanted to play. And he did a great job."

Southeast prevailed despite committing 31 turnovers.

"I can't say enough about our guys," marveled Garner. "To turn it over 31 times in a hostile crowd against a good team and still win says a lot for this bunch.

"I just can't say enough about how tough this team is. We've just got a tough bunch of guys."

Southeast made 15 of 21 first-half free throws and led 38-33 at the break.

The visiting Indians opened up two 10-point leads early in the second half, but Garner knew things were far from over.

"A good team like this, you knew they were going to make a run," he said.

ASU finally took its first lead since the opening half on two Eric Beatty free throws that made it 67-66 with 4:06 remaining.

But Southeast refused to die. R. Johnson made two foul shots at the 3:38 mark to put his team back on top 68-67 and the lead changed hands six more times before Cotton's late heroics.

"Everybody stuck together out there," said Cotton. "We just knew we could get it done."