Men own losses record

Southeast Missouri State made Morehead State work to retain its slim lead in the Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball race.

Although the Eagles led from start to finish, they could not shake Southeast until the final minutes of Saturday's matchup in Morehead, Ky.

The Eagles finally pulled away for a 79-67 victory that kept them undefeated in OVC home games.

MSU (16-11, 12-3) leads Tennessee-Martin by a half-game.

Last-place Southeast (3-23, 0-15) suffered its 15th consecutive defeat, which represents the nation's longest active losing streak.

The Redhawks, who have dropped 22 consecutive OVC games dating back to last season, also now own sole possession of the school record for losses in a season.

Southeast had been tied with the 2001-02 squad, which also suffered 22 defeats.

But the Redhawks, after being blown out by 20 points at Eastern Kentucky on Thursday night, kept Saturday's contest tight until the final minutes.

The Redhawks fell behind 14-4 midway through the first half and later trailed 21-6 as it appeared MSU would have an easy time.

Southeast, however, closed to within 27-22 at halftime.

MSU scored the first six points of the second half to go up 33-22, but the Redhawks remained in striking distance for most of the rest of the contest.

The Redhawks got within 60-55 with less than 6 minutes left and were still down just 65-59 with about 3 minutes remaining before MSU finally pulled away.

Senior guard Kenard Moore and senior forward Jaycen Herring combined for all but 15 of Southeast's points.

Moore led the way with 27 points while Herring had 25 to go along with six assists and three blocks.

Senior forward Leon Buchanan paced MSU with 26 points, most of them coming from the free-throw line as he hit 18 of 19.

Sophomore center Kenneth Faried, one of the OVC's premier big men, dominated on the inside for the Eagles with 20 points and 18 rebounds.

The 6-foot-8 Faried, who averages a double-double, recorded his 17th such performance of the season.

Southeast, which has three OVC contests remaining, plays its final conference home game Tuesday night against Murray State.