During halftime, the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks took a break to prepare for the second half of their basketball game. But the excitement and anticipation didn't leave the court with them.

Jason Leek, a college senior from Jonesboro, Ill., waited anxiously for the end of the first half, his palms sweating and hands shaking as he kept checking his inside coat pocket to make sure the small black box was still there.

Jamie Reynolds, a senior from Kennett, Mo., was oblivious to Leek's nerves. Leek's girlfriend of one year, one month, one week and one day thought it just another game. The couple had been to three or four basketball in their time at Southeast Missouri State University and Reynolds said she didn't think this one was any different.

With just a few minutes left in the halftime show, the game announcer asked Reynolds to look at the marquee. "Jamie will you marry me?" flashed across the screen.

The stunned Reynolds's said yes after hopping up and down and shrieking.

Multiple people congratulated the couple during the second half while Reynolds proudly showed off her new diamond ring.

Leek said he wanted to propose at the game because he wanted to make the proposal larger than life for Reynolds and he needed the added pressure to go through with it. He had been working up the nerve to pop the question since he bought the ring back in July.

ameyer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127