CBS SportsLine - Murray St., SE Missouri to meet in rematch of last year's OVC final

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Murray St., SE Missouri to meet in rematch of last year's OVC final

March 4, 2000
SportsLine.com wire reports

Ohio Valley tourney glance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Isaac Spencer scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Murray State to an 89-70 win Saturday over Eastern Illinois in the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

T O P N E W S

The top-seeded Racers (23-8) used a 16-5 run midway through the second half to stretch a 61-57 lead into a comfortable 77-62 margin with only 5:46 left to play.

Spencer scored seven points and Aubrey Reese added five of his 19 points during the Racers' run.

Eastern Illinois (17-12) was unable to contain the Racers on the backboards. Murray State out-rebounded the Panthers 44-28. The Racers' 44 rebounds included 22 on the offensive glass.

Murray State seeks its fourth consecutive OVC tournament championship, and eighth since 1990 on Sunday.

Kyle Hill topped Eastern Illinois with 20 points. Marc Polite scored 12 points and Henry Domercant 11.

Mike Turner added 18 points to the Murray State total and Ray Cunningham finished with 11.

Murray used a 13-0 run midway throughout the first half to wipe out a 19-12 Eastern Illinois lead and went on to hold a 41-38 edge at the break. Game summary

SE Missouri 78, Middle Tenn. 60

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Michael Stokes scored 22 points and Roderick Johnson added 14 points and 17 rebounds as Southeast Missouri topped Middle Tennessee State in the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

The win sends Southeast Missouri into a rematch of last year's OVC title game, won by Murray State 62-61 on a last-second basket. Murray is seeking its fourth consecutive conference title and automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Southeast Missouri seized control against the Blue Raiders (15-13) in the first half, using an early 19-3 run that left the Indians on top 25-9.

Stokes and Johnson each scored 10 points as Southeast Missouri built a 43-25 halftime lead.

Middle Tennessee didn't quit, closing to within nine points twice in the second half, the last time at 65-56 after a 3-point shot by Cedrick Wallace with 4:54 left to play.

Back-to-back baskets by Stokes, one a 3-pointer with 3:55 left, gave the Indians breathing room at 70-56.