NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year Denzel Mahoney scored 34 points and fellow freshman Tahj Eaddy made a 3-pointer with two seconds left in overtime to lead Southeast Missouri (15-17) to a 78-75 come-from-behind win in the first round of the OVC Tournament Wednesday.
 
Eaddy, who struggled offensively, went 1-of-8 from the field before burying the game-winning shot.
 
"It felt great," said Eaddy. "Although I struggled offensively, I just tried to do everything to help this team win. I felt like I was open and let it fly. I was happy it went in."
 
A native of West Haven, Connecticut, Eaddy was able to get his shot off after Jonathan Dalton pushed the ball up the court immediately after Ken'Darrius Hamilton buried a 3-pointer to tie the game at 75-75 with seven seconds.
 
Jamaal Calvin stole the ball on the game's final possession right after Eaddy's shot went through the basket.
 
TSU led by 14 points after Christian Mekowulu converted a 3-point play to make it 44-30 with 17:10 remaining in the second half.
 
SEMO battled all the way back and made it a one-possession contest on seven occasions before finally taking a 63-62 edge on Antonius Cleveland's jumper with 37 seconds in regulation. Cleveland was also fouled on the play and added a free throw to put the Redhawks up two.
 
Armani Chaney's free throws tied the game at 64-64 with 27 seconds on the clock before Cleveland missed a 3-pointer with two ticks left sending the game to an extra period.
 
"I thought it was a gutsy performance," said SEMO head coach Rick Ray. "Tennessee State is such a physical team and I thought our guys really battled. I believe our freshmen are the best in the league and played well tonight."
 
Despite being whistled for seven fouls in an eight-minute stretch, SEMO managed to build an eight-point lead early on. Mahoney buried a 3-pointer to grab the Redhawks a 16-8 advantage with 12:15 left to play in the first half.
 
Cleveland exited the game when he picked up his second foul just 16 seconds later. TSU was also in the bonus with 11:59 remaining as a result of the Redhawks foul trouble.
 
With Cleveland on the bench, TSU heated up to make five-straight shots, including four from downtown. Chaney accounted for three of those treys during an 8-0 run in 1:40. His third 3-pointer put the Tigers ahead, 24-21, immediately after Tahjere McCall drove the lane and scored to tie the game.
 
TSU went on to take a 34-28 lead at the half.
 
Mahoney led all scorers with 13 first-half points. Cleveland was limited to just nine minutes and TSU shot 52 percent (13-of-25) from the field in the opening stanza.
 
TSU began the second half on a 10-2 run with eight of its points coming on layups leading to the Tigers 14-point advantage.
 
Mahoney shot 8-of-19 from the field, made four 3-pointers and went a near-perfect 14-of-15 at the free throw line en route to his career-high effort. He made his first 14 free throws of the game and became the first SEMO player to score 34 or more points in a game since Tyler Stone had 37 at SIUE on Feb. 6, 2014. Mahoney also had five rebounds.
 
Cleveland followed with 16 points and six boards, while Eaddy added 10 points. Eaddy made four big free throws, as well.
 
SEMO forced 27 turnovers and scored 23 points off those miscues.
 
Wayne Martin led TSU with 19 points and eight rebounds. The Tigers outrebounded the Redhawks, 49-30, and had 15 offensive boards.
 
The Redhawks advance to the quarterfinals to face #4 Jacksonville State at 6:30 p.m., CT, Thursday.