Southeast falls to Coppin State in 2 OT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- The way Southeast Missouri State controlled most of the game, having to go overtime probably was the last thing on the Redhawks' minds.

Ditto for the prospects of a second overtime.

But that's how Friday's Chicago Invitational Challenge contest with Coppin State University wound up.

And the Redhawks did not live to smile about it.

Southeast led virtually all of regulation, including once by 14 points, before squandering a six-point advantage in the final minute.

The Redhawks built an eight-point overtime edge before the Eagles again rallied.

Finally, CSU broke the Redhawks' hearts in double-overtime as the Eagles squeezed out a 102-99 victory

"It's very disappointing, not being able to finish the game," Southeast coach Scott Edgar said. "We had our opportunities late a couple of times."

Southeast (2-3) never trailed the Eagles (3-2) until the opening seconds of the second overtime, which began tied 92-92.

The Redhawks regained the lead twice more, the final time with 1:45 remaining on a put-back by freshman center Will Bogan that made it 98-97.

CSU answered with a 3-pointer by senior guard Tywain McKee at the 1:18 mark, putting the Eagles back on top 100-98.

Southeast sophomore guard Jimmy Drew was fouled with one minute left and made one of two free throws.

After a CSU turnover, Drew's runner in the lane rimmed out with 10 seconds remaining.

"It felt good. I thought it was in," said Drew, who led the Redhawks with a career-high 19 points as he hit 6 of 8 3-pointers.

The Eagles made two foul shots with 8.4 seconds left and nailed down the victory when Southeast senior forward Brandon Foust was well off on a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

"You have to give them credit," Edgar said of the Eagles.

As Edgar scanned the stats sheet, he shook his head over Southeast's 27 turnovers, with several coming late in regulation and late in the first overtime after the Redhawks seemed to have the game in hand.

"Crucial turnovers led to some easy baskets for them," Edgar said.

Southeast was hurt by foul trouble to sophomore point guard Roderick Pearson, who played just 16 minutes before fouling out late in regulation.

Making matters worse, backup point guard Hank Harris has not played since the season opener -- when the junior college transfer was in for only three minutes -- because of a stress fracture.

"It was a 50-minute game and Rod only played 16 minutes," Edgar said. "It makes a difference."

Said Bogan, who had his first collegiate double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds: "We just had a lot of turnovers. When our point guard went out, it was tough."

Southeast sophomore forward Calvin Williams had his second straight double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Aso scoring in double figures for the Redhawks were junior college transfer swingman Jaycen Herring (13 points), senior swingman David Johnson (12) and Foust (10).

For the second straight game the Redhawks dominated the boards (48-30) and shot well from 3-point range (12-of-30, 40 percent).

But, after a hot start, Southeast made just 4-of-14 3-pointers in the second half and both overtimes.

"We couldn't hit our shots," said Bogan of the late going.

Southeast led 47-38 at halftime and 52-38 early in the second half before the Eagles rallied.

Still, the Redhawks appeared to be in control after Drew's 3-pointer with 1:04 left in regulation made it 80-74.

McKee, who poured in 33 points after missing the previous two games because of a team suspension, drained a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left.

After a Southeast turnover, CSU hit two free throws to close within 80-79.

Bogan hit one of two free throws with 21 seconds left to make it 81-79.

With 7.9 seconds to play, Southeast was called for a foul off the ball and CSU's Robert Pressey made two free throws for the game's first tie since early in the opening half.

Another Southeast turnover nearly allowed the Eagles to win in regulation, but they missed two point-blank shots to keep the contest deadlocked at 81-81.

Southeast started fast in overtime and led 91-83 with a little more than two minutes remaining.

Again the Redhawks faltered -- they had two turnovers in the final minute -- and McKee's 3-pointer with 15 seconds left forged a 92-92 tie and a second extra period, during which the Eagles finally prevailed.

"We had them down in both overtimes," Drew said. "We have to learn how to finish."

Even though the Redhawks had plenty of chances to close out the game, they were hurt by a huge differential from the charity stripe.

CSU shot 54 free throws (making 38) as Southeast was whistled for 37 fouls. The Redhawks went 23-of-32 from the free-throw line.

"That's an awful lot [of fouls] ... it's hard to get a rhythm ... we can't endure a lot of fouls at the point," said Edgar, who made it clear that he was not blaming the officiating.