NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The IU Southeast men's basketball team defeated the St. Catharine Patriots 71-70 in overtime on Tuesday night (Dec. 1) in the Southeast Activities Building.

The Grenadiers started out very slow, only shooting 29-percent from the field in the first half compared to the Patriots' 50-percent from the field. IU Southeast was outscored 36-18 in the first half. The tides of success turned in the direction of the Grenadiers during the second half of the game. IU Southeast shot an impressive 62-percent in the second half to force overtime. The Grenadiers outscored the Patriots 40-22 in the second half. At the end of regulation, the game was tied at 58.

In overtime, both teams traded the lead two different times. The Grenadier trailed 70-68 after the Patriots' Josh Edwards hit a field goal to give St. Catharine the two-point lead. With four seconds left on the clock in overtime, IU Southeast junior Jazzmarr Ferguson (Louisville, Ky.) pulled up and nailed a huge 3-pointer to give the Grenadiers a one point lead. IU Southeast stole the final inbound pass to take the hard-earned victory over St. Catharine, 71-70.

The eighth-ranked Grenadiers (7-2, 0-0 KIAC) were led by Ferguson who led the team's offensive attack with 21 points, five assists and five steals. Senior Carlos Mitchell (Louisville, Ky.) scored 20 points for the Grenadiers with four steals and four assists.

Both teams struggled taking care of the ball during the game, the Grenadiers committed 21 turnovers while the Patriots gave the ball away for a total of 26 times.

The Grenadiers shot 47-percent from field goal range and 33-percent from 3-pt. range for the game. IU Southeast connected on 15-of-25 free-throw attempts (60-percent) and had 61 of its 71 total points come from starters.

IU Southeast trailed by 18 points at halftime, 36-18.

St. Catharine (10-2 / 0-0 MSC) was led by Ervin Williams with 17 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Two other Patriots scored in double-digits combining for 27 points.

St. Catharine shot 44-percent from the field and 47-percent from beyond the arc. St. Catharine out-rebounded IU Southeast 39-31, but it did not prove to be enough as the Grenadiers escaped with a dramatic one-point victory in overtime.

IU Southeast will be back in action on Saturday (Dec. 5) when the Grenadiers host Cincinnati Christian University at 3 p.m. for the Grenadiers' first Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) game of the year.

Ticket prices for the event are $7 for adult general admission and free of charge for children 12 years old or younger. IU Southeast season tickets can also be purchased at the door for $25.