CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Eric Reed, Jr.'s desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer came off the backboard and Morehead State (16-5, 8-0) survived with a 74-73 overtime win over Southeast Missouri (8-12, 3-4) Thursday night in a thrilling nationally-televised ESPNU matchup.
 
SEMO led by as many as 14 points in the game, but MSU continued to chip away at the Redhawks lead and managed to keep its undefeated record in Ohio Valley Conference play intact.
 
The Eagles closed out the first half on a 6-0 run to pull to within seven (36-29) and carried their momentum into the second half where they scored the first five points to quickly make it a two-point contest.
 
MSU would then get within three or less points on eight more occasions before taking a 53-52 lead on Johni Broome's layup with 6:55 remaining.
 
In the final minute of regulation, Chris Harris made a big jumper to put SEMO ahead, 64-61, with 27 seconds left. 
 
However, Tray Hollowell answered with a game-tying 3-pointer nine seconds later.
 
Deadlocked at 64-64, Harris got off a 3-pointer as time expired, but his shot missed and both teams headed to overtime.
 
MSU built a 70-65 advantage with the help of two baskets by Ta'lon Cooper and another by Broome.
 
Dylan Branson, who scored the last six points for SEMO in the extra period, got the Redhawks within two (72-70) when he buried a 3-pointer with 48 seconds on the clock. Branson then converted a 3-point play to cut the Eagles lead to 74-73 with seven ticks left.
 
On MSU's next possession, Cooper was fouled and missed both of his free throws giving SEMO one last chance.
 
Following a timeout, Reed, Jr. caught the inbounds pass and launched a 3-pointer in front of the Redhawks bench that came off the backboard.
 
In the first half, SEMO used a 13-0 run to build a 15-5 lead. 
 
Manny Patterson quickly swung the momentum in the Redhawks favor scoring six of his team's first seven points of the contest. Harris' 3-pointer off a turnover capped the surge with 13:27 remaining.
 
While the Redhawks got hot early, MSU struggled to get shots to fall. As a result, the Eagles misfired on 11 of their first 13 field goals and, at one time, missed eight shots in a row.
 
SEMO shot 50 percent (16-of-32) from the floor and was paced by Harris' 13 points off the bench in the opening stanza. Patterson also added double figures with 11 points. 
 
Nana Akenten also got the crowd going with a highlight-reel dunk off an alley-oop pass from Nygal Russell late in the first half.   
 
SEMO shot 43.9 percent (29-of-66) from the field and had four players put up double figures in the scoring column.
 
Harris paved the way with a season-high 22 points, while Patterson and DQ Nicholas each added 12 and Reed, Jr. chipped in 11. Both Nicholas and Russell pulled down nine rebounds apiece. Nicholas started at point guard for Phillip Russell who did not play due to COVID protocols.
 
Broome posted his 14th double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Skyelar Potter also reached a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards for the Eagles. 
 
Meanwhile, Cooper and Hollowell contributed 14 and 11 points, respectively.
 
MSU made 4-of-7 field goals for 57.1 percent in the decisive overtime period and outscored SEMO, 35-28, in the second half.
 
The Eagles posted their 10th-straight win.
 
The Redhawks hosted their first ESPNU nationally-televised game at the Show Me Center in five years.
 
SEMO remains home to host SIU Edwardsville Saturday.