PIPPA PASSES, Ky. – IU Southeast pulled out another close victory 78-69 over Berea College to advance to is seventh straight KIAC title game.

IU Southeast (25-3) led by 12 with five minutes left in the first half but key three-pointers by Berea cut into the lead and the Grenadiers led just 42-40 at halftime.

Berea took the lead a briefly in the second half but was unable to pull away. IU Southeast kept the Moutainers in it with as the offense stalled throughout the game. The Grenadiers shot just 30 percent (8-of-27) from the field in the second half and 38 percent for the game.

Kevin Mitchell had a game-high 21 points, Cameron Mitchell had 13 points and Vernon Payne added 12 points and seven rebounds.

After allowing Berea to shoot 41 percent from the field in the first half, the Grenadiers clamped down and forced Berea into bad shots. IU Southeast was able to pull away late at the free throw line where they made 20-of-26 free throws in the final frame.

Daishon Robinson had 16 points in the loss.

IU Southeast will face Cincinnati Christian tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.