Montana presents difficult challenge

The way South Dakota State physically manhandled his team for much of Saturday's game has Southeast Missouri State University coach Gary Garner concerned heading into tonight's contest against Montana.

Southeast and the Grizzlies will match 2-3 records in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at the Show Me Center.

"They're a big, strong team, and that really worries me," Garner said. "We've got to do some things different to keep from getting totally dominated inside."

South Dakota State also was a physical squad, and the Jackrabbits used their muscle to help build a 17-point lead with under nine minutes remaining, although Southeast rallied for an improbable 59-58 victory on senior guard Mike Nelke's off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer.

But Southeast knows falling behind the Grizzlies by a substantial margin likely would be a major mistake.

"We showed a lot of character to come back like we did," said sophomore swingman Terrick Willoughby, who led Southeast with 15 points against South Dakota State. "But we need to start out stronger against Montana."

Montana, expected to be a contender in the Big Sky Conference, certainly appears to be much better than its record indicates.

The Grizzlies' losses have been to nationally ranked Gonzaga, undefeated Western Kentucky and Santa Clara. Montana fell to Santa Clara -- which handed eighth-ranked North Carolina its only defeat -- by two points Saturday.

"You look at who they lost to ... this is going to be a really tough game for us," Garner said.

Three Grizzlies players who stand at least 6-feet-8 receive regular minutes -- and that doesn't even include Montana's top performer: 6-7, 255-pound Kamarr Davis.

The Grizzlies strength is evidenced by the fact they have attempted 146 free throws to just 95 for their opponents.

The Grizzlies are averaging 20 made free throws per game while Southeast is attempting an average of barely 13 foul shots a contest. Southeast is 43 of 67 at the line compared to 76 of 112 for the opposition.

"They really shoot a lot of free throws, and we're giving up a lot more free throws than we're shooting," Garner said. "We'll really have to battle them hard."

Southeast will pay particular attention to Davis, a senior forward who was last season's Big Sky Conference newcomer of the year and also a first-team all-league selection.

Davis is averaging 13 points and eight rebounds per game. He has shot 38 free throws, more than half as many as Southeast's entire team.

"Davis is a great player. He can play for just about anybody," Garner said.

Also averaging in double figures for the Grizzlies are 6-2 junior guard Kevin Criswell (13.3 ppg), 6-6 sophomore forward Matt Dloughy (10.2 ppg) and 6-1 freshman guard Matt Martin (10.0 ppg).

Montana's center is 6-10, 245-pound John Seyfert, a transfer from St. Louis University transfer who averages just 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds.

"Montana is going to be tough," said Southeast senior guard Derek Winans, who made his season debut against South Dakota State and played 18 minutes after sitting out the first four games with a stress fracture. "We're going to have to play a really good game."

Tonight's contest will mark the second leg of an important four-game homestand for Southeast. Garner believes a win over Montana could provide a major boost for his squad.

"If we can win, I think that can really help our basketball team," Garner said. "It would show us that we can beat a lot of teams, because Montana is really good."

Noteworthy

• Nelke, who has experienced left wrist problems all season and has missed two games, had an MRI done on Wednesday, although results are not expected in until today.