Southeast's seniors try to close with win

On the surface, it might not look like there is much on the line for Southeast Missouri State's men tonight after they were eliminated from contention for hosting an Ohio Valley Conference tournament game.

But searching a little deeper, there appears to be ample incentive for the Redhawks (13-13, 8-7) to beat Tennessee-Martin (6-20, 3-12) in the 7:30 regular-season finale at the Show Me Center.

First, the Redhawks want to avoid taking a four-game losing streak into Tuesday's first-round tournament game at a site to be determined.

Second, Southeast would, with a win, clinch its first non-losing season since 2000-01. That might not seem like a whole lot, but for a program that went just 28-57 in the previous three years, it's a step in the right direction.

But perhaps more importantly, Southeast's large and highly productive senior class simply wants to have fond memories of its final home appearance.

"It's going to be a big night for us and we just want to stay focused on getting a win," guard Derek Winans said.

Dainmon Gonner, the OVC's leading scorer (20.3 ppg) who is also first in steals (65) and fifth in rebounding (6.8), added, "We want to go out with a blast. We definitely want to win."

Winans, Gonner, forward Reggie Golson, guard Brett Hale and guard Mike Nelke will all be honored before tonight's game.

Golson leads the OVC in rebounding (8.6) and blocked shots (60) while ranking seventh in scoring (16.4 ppg).

Winans, Southeast's top scorer the past three seasons and the school's first basketball Academic All-American, was slowed by an injury early but is the Redhawks' fifth leading scorer (10.1 ppg). He is fifth in career scoring at Southeast.

Hale, along with Winans, is one of two current seniors to play at Southeast four years. He was in just 11 games before fracturing a wrist, but still ranks as the Redhawks' fourth-leading scorer (10.3 ppg) and was shooting 55 percent from 3-point range to lead the OVC at the time.

Nelke, who has primarily played in a reserve role this year, is averaging just 3.7 points but is the squad's third-best 3-pointer shooter at 41 percent.

"Our seniors have all been very good players for us," coach Gary Garner said. "It would be great if we could send them out with a win."