Southeast men fall 71-68 in OT before raucous crowd

The largest crowd for a Southeast Missouri State basketball game at the Show Me Center in five years saw an inspired performance by the home team.

They also very nearly were treated to a season-ending win before Austin Peay spoiled Saturday night's party with a thrilling 71-68 overtime victory.

Despite the disappointing nature of the defeat, first-year Southeast coach Dickey Nutt and his players made plenty of time to rave about the scene they just had witnessed.

"I really appreciate our fans for never giving up on us," junior forward Cameron Butler said. "That makes me know they believe in us."

Said freshman guard Marland Smith: "We appreciate everybody for coming out and giving us support. Next year we'll be a whole lot better."

Southeast's Show Me Sellout promotion drew an announced 5,515 fans, the most to watch the Redhawks since the 2004-2005 season, when two larger crowds turned out.

Toward the end of regulation and for much of overtime, the noise in the arena was deafening. It's something Nutt hopes to make a common theme as he attempts to build Southeast's floundering program.

"We sure hope so," Nutt said.

Immediately after the game, Nutt addressed the fans over the PA system and thanked them for their support.

"I just wanted to let them know how much I appreciated them," Nutt said. "For a team that's won seven games to have a crowd like that, you can't ask for more as a coach.

"You noticed all the recruits we had here tonight. It's all about recruiting."

Despite the crowd and the strong effort by the Redhawks, Southeast ends the season with eight straight losses and 10 consecutive Ohio Valley Conference defeats.

Southeast (7-23, 3-15) wound up ninth in the 10-team OVC, which is an improvement from the last-place finish a year ago, when the Redhawks went winless in the OVC and 3-27 overall.

On the other end, Austin Peay (17-14, 11-7) locked up the No. 3 seed for the eight-team OVC tournament, which means a first-round home game. A loss Saturday would have sent the Governors on the road for the tournament's opening round.

"We're happy about that," Austin Peay coach Dave Loos said after the Govs' second overtime win over Southeast this season. "It doesn't guarantee anything, but I'd much rather play at home."

Saturday's atmosphere was not lost on Loos.

"It was a great crowd. It was really a fun environment," Loos said.

Although Southeast led most of the second half -- including by 11 points early after being ahead 31-24 at halftime -- it took a basket by Butler with 11 seconds left for a 59-59 tie.

Junior forward Jajuan Maxwell helped send it to overtime on a blocked shot.

Austin Peay got the early jump in overtime, building a pair of three-point leads during the 5-minute session.

Southeast took its only lead of overtime on freshman guard Derek Thompson's 3-pointer with 37 seconds remaining that made it 68-66.

It was 68-67 after an Austin Peay free throw when Thompson missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 27 seconds left.

Senior guard Wes Channels went coast to coast for a driving basket that put the Govs back on top 69-68.

Channels was fouled on the play but missed the free throw. However, the Govs tipped the rebound back and were able to gain control.

That led to Channels making two free throws with 14 seconds left.

Southeast could not get a good final shot as Smith was forced to fire up a highly contested 3-point attempt from the corner that did not draw iron just before the buzzer sounded.

"I was just trying to at least get a chance," Smith said.

Butler, still hobbled by a foot problem, scored 18 points as he made 7 of 8 from the field.

"We saw a glimpse of what a healthy Cameron Butler could do. He's still only about 50 percent," Nutt said.

Smith also scored 18 points, but had just three after halftime as he shot 4 of 22 from the field.

Junior guard Anthony Allison added 10 points for Southeast.

Senior forward LaMont Russell, among three Southeast seniors playing their final game, pulled down 13 rebounds.

"We had plenty of opportunities we should have capitalized on," Butler said.

Channels paced the Govs with a game-high 21 points, 17 after halftime.

"We had our chances. A few plays here or there. It's kind of been the story of our season," Nutt said. "But I thank our players for playing so hard. I was really proud of their effort."