Reggie Golson had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Redhawks

March 1, 2005

Murray, Ky. - Reggie Golson and Dainmon Gonner combined for 41 points and 17 rebounds to lead Southeast Missouri State to a 61-58 upset win over Murray State in the opening round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The victory moves Southeast into the tourney semi-finals on Friday at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville.

Golson, the top rebounder and shot blocker in the OVC, had 21 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks while Gonner, who leads the league in scoring and steals had 20 points, six rebounds and one steal. Behind Golson's 19 first half points, the Redhawks led 39-30 at the intermission.

The Racers who had not lost a first round OVC tournament game since 1987, came back in the second half and took the lead three times. The last Murray lead 52-51 with 5:27 remaining. Mike Nelke's three put Southeast on top to stay and and another trey by Nelke with 1:49 to play gave the Redhawks a 59-54 lead.

The tournament win was Southeast's first since 2000 when they claimed their only tournament title. In Friday's semi-finals, Southeat will face second seeded Eastern Kentucky in an 8 p.m. game at the Gaylord Entetainment Center.