Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
3-2
Southeast Missouri
5-2
Last Second Shot Misses As SEMO Prevails Over SIU
03/22/2001 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
December 5, 2000
Cape Girardeau, Mo. -
A last-second desperation three-pointer by Southern Illinois University guard Kent Williams bounced in and out as the Salukis fell 87-84 to regional rival Southeast Missouri State Tuesday at the Show Me Center.
The Salukis' last second play couldn't have worked any better as Williams had an open look at the basket after SIU worked the ball down the floor following a missed free throw by SEMO guard Michael Stokes with just 4.6 seconds remaining. Williams' shot, however, rimmed out and as a result, the Salukis dropped their second straight road game.
The Salukis (3-2) ran into an offense that simply wasn't missing shots especially from three-point range where the Indians shot better there than from the field in the first half. SEMO, who improved to 5-2, connected on 9-of-12 three-pointers and only 6-of-15 from everywhere else. After the game was deadlocked at 23-23 midway through the first stanza, SEMO forward Emmanuel McCuthison caught fire and drained 4-of-5 from downtown as he rallied to 20 first half points.
After shooting a poor 34 percent from the field in the first half, the Salukis had an opportunity to tie or move to within one with 13 seconds left, but sophomore Jermaine Dearman fired a three that missed and was rebounded by SEMO. Foul trouble also hampered the Salukis as they were whistled for 29 team fouls. At one point in the second half, four different SIU players picked up their fourth foul with more than 10 minutes to play.
Williams led all SIU scorers with 27 points while junior Tyrese Buie scored 12 and Abel Schrader added 11. McCuthison then led the Indians with 29 points while Stokes chipped in 19.
SIU will conclude its three-game roadswing Saturday, Dec. 9, when the Salukis travel to Chicago, Ill., to face Illinois-Chicago at 3 p.m.
