Gonner opens on strong note for Southeast

Dainmon Gonner, in a break during practice on the eve of Southeast Missouri State University's season opener, told a few members of the media attending Thursday's workout in Peoria, Ill., that he was going to score 38 points the following evening.

The grin on Gonner's face suggested that he was joking -- but he went out and almost became a prophet.

Gonner, a rugged 6-foot-6, 230-pound senior forward, torched host Bradley for 36 points, and Southeast saw a huge second-half comeback fall just short in a 77-73 loss Friday night.

Gonner, in his second season with Southeast after transferring from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, by far reached a Division I career high scoring output. His previous best was a 24-point performance against SIU last year.

"Dainmon really had a great game," Southeast coach Gary Garner said.

Gonner hit 11 of 20 shots, including five of nine 3-pointers, and made nine of 13 free throws. He also led Southeast in rebounds with eight and steals with three. Gonner added two assists and had just one turnover while playing the full 40 minutes.

"He's a warrior," Garner said.

Gonner averaged 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his rookie season at Southeast. But he slowed down somewhat in Ohio Valley Conference play after a strong start during the nonleague schedule.

"I started off good but then I got in a slump, and I broke down mentally and physically," Gonner said. "It was all on me."

Garner said many times during preseason practice that he expected Gonner to have a big senior year, partly because of his experience and partly because of being moved from the 4 position (power forward) to the 3 spot (small forward), which will allow him to better utilize his strong perimeter skills.

"Dainmon is just better suited to the 3," Garner said. "He can shoot the ball, and he can put it on the floor. He's got a really quick first step. I think he's more comfortable on the perimeter, and that's going to help him mentally."

It remains to be seen just how good a season Gonner will have -- but his senior campaign certainly got started in a big way.

Rebounding a concern

Garner said rebounding has been a big concern of his since practice started -- and nothing that has happened so far has changed his mind.

Bradley outrebounded Southeast 41-27, including 15-5 on the offensive glass. The Braves held a 15-4 edge in second-chance points.

"We have to find a way to rebound the ball," Garner said. "I expected us to get beat on the boards, but I didn't expect us to get dominated.

"We outshot them, our defense was good enough, and we had the same amount of turnovers as them. But the rebounding, especially the second-chance points, was the difference."

Southeast was outrebounded by 11 during its final exhibition game, a loss to Division II Harding.

"We don't have to be a good rebounding team, but we have to at least be respectable on the boards," Garner said.

Southeast outshot Bradley 49.1 percent to 45.2 percent and both squads had 17 turnovers. The Braves led 38-23 at halftime and 59-39 early in the second half before Southeast rallied to within two points twice in the closing seconds. Southeast scored 50 second-half points and shot a sizzling 64.3 percent in the final period.

"I was proud of the way we came back, but we've still got a long way to go to be a good basketball team," Garner said. "We're just so far behind because of all the injuries we've had. It's kept us from scrimmaging very much and that's really hurt us."

Because of several injuries, Southeast was limited to just seven or eight players during much of preseason practice.

"We're going to get a lot better," Garner said.

Noteworthy

• Junior guard Ryan Belcher, bothered by a sprained ankle, was expected to play Friday but the ankle is still tender and Garner elected to not put him in the game, although he was dressed out.

"He said he was only about 80 percent, so we decided to play Paul at the point some," Garner said.

Paul Paradoski, Southeast's only freshman, played four minutes at point guard spelling starter Terrick Willoughby and backup Mike Nelke.

While standout forward Marcellus Sommerville led Bradley with 20 points, Garner credited 7-foot Braves freshman center Patrick O'Bryant with having the biggest impact on the game.

O'Bryant, extremely mobile, scored 13 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked three shots. He had two blocks in the first few minutes to set the early tone as Bradley grabbed a big lead.

"I was really impressed with O'Bryant," Garner said. "He changes the game. He was the difference."

Southeast plays its first home game Tuesday night when Division II Rockhurst visits the Show Me Center.