Racers reject Redhawks' bid

~ The Redhawks had a 27-7 advantage in free throws but fell 76-69 to the Racers.

A 27-7 advantage in successful free throws normally would mean a good chance at victory.

But little has been normal about this Southeast Missouri State basketball season -- and that trend continued Saturday afternoon.

The Redhawks, despite a big-time edge at the free throw line, perhaps missed out on a golden chance at a major upset, as Murray State posted a 76-69 victory at the Show Me Center.

A national television audience on ESPN2 saw the Racers (13-5, 10-2) remain in a first-place Ohio Valley Conference tie, while the Redhawks (6-13, 3-10) dipped into sole possession of 10th place in the 11-team league with their sixth straight loss.

"We made some critical mistakes, but I can't fault our effort," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "We had a really good effort."

After settling for so many 3-point attempts against Morehead State's zone during Thursday's home loss to the last-place Eagles, the Redhawks were intent on attacking MSU's man-to-man pressure defense at every opportunity.

"Coach preached in practice to attack, attack, be aggressive," junior guard Terrick Willoughby said. "We kind of took it to them. A big key to getting to the line was being aggressive."

Southeast hit all 19 of its first-half foul shots, while MSU made one of two during that time.

The Redhawks ended up 27 of 31 from the line, while the Racers were seven of 10 -- but eight of those attempts came in the final 3 minutes, after Southeast was forced to foul.

"All we talked about since Thursday night was attack, attack," Garner said. "I didn't expect us to get to the line as much as we did, but that was because we really attacked. I think that's why we had a chance.

"But Murray State is really a good team. They have all the ingredients."

As has been the case virtually all season, the Redhawks struggled with their shooting from the field.

The Redhawks entered the contest hitting 40.8 percent. They shot 38.6 percent Saturday (17 of 44), although they were strong from 3-point range at 47.1 percent (8 of 17).

"That's something we're just going to have to live with," Garner said. "We're just not a good shooting team."

The deep, athletic Racers scorched the nets for 54.4 percent (31 of 57), which helped make up for their huge deficit in free throws.

Senior guard Roy Booker, the OVC's leading scorer, had a game-high 26 points, thanks in large part to making all 12 of his free throws.

Three more Redhawks reached double figures. Willoughby had 12 points, junior forward Andrais Thornton 11 and sophomore point guard Paul Paradoski 10.

"I was proud of the whole team," Booker said. "We came out with a lot of intensity. Nobody backed down."

Junior guard Trey Pearson led five Racers players in double figures with 17 points.

"You have to give SEMO's kids credit. They never quit. They've been riddled with injuries. It's been tough on them," MSU coach Mick Cronin said. "Them needing a big win, I kind of figured we'd get a spirited effort from SEMO. I was proud of the way our guys answered the bell."

Southeast came out strong and built a 16-7 lead with just under 13 minutes left in the first half.

MSU came back to go ahead 27-20 late in the period. The Redhawks took one more lead, 31-29, on two Booker free throws with 2:45 remaining.

The Racers went up for good, 33-31, on Pearson's basket at the 1:55 mark. It was 35-33 at halftime.

MSU never gave up the lead in the second half, although the Redhawks kept things fairly interesting most of the way.

After the Racers built the game's biggest advantage of 61-49 with under 7 minutes left, the Redhawks clawed to within 65-60 on Paradoski's 3-pointer at the 4:28 mark.

But sophomore forward Justin Orr answered with a 3-pointer 25 seconds later to make it 68-60. Southeast got no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

"They hit some big shots down the stretch, which is what championship teams do. They really responded," Garner said.

Booker felt the Redhawks, down to eight healthy scholarship players, might have been worn down a bit by the deep Racers.

"I think our depth hurt," he said. "Other teams have 10, 11 people. That makes a difference."

The Redhawks will play their third game in five days Monday night when they visit Austin Peay.

"We've just got to keep working and get a win," Booker said.