BASKETBALL: SE SEEKS PROGRESS IN SECOND EXHIBITION

Last year, Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team suffered a 72-68 exhibition loss to the Dreambuilders. That is believed to be the Indians' only exhibition defeat ever.

While Southeast coach Gary Garner said gaining revenge won't be his main objective tonight, he admitted that some of his players have talked about evening the score as the Indians close out their two-game exhibition schedule with a 7 o'clock tipoff at the Show Me Center.

"I don't think it (revenge) is as big a factor in an exhibition game as in a regular-season game, but I think it's always a factor," said Garner, who added with a chuckle, "They (the players) remember. A couple have talked about it. You never want to lose, and they remember last year."

But Garner, while intent on winning tonight, will primarily be looking for the Indians to continue to progress and improve as the the regular season draws closer. The Indians will tipoff off the campaign Nov. 17 when they host Division II Truman State.

"We always want to win, but we still want to look at all of our players," said Garner. "We might approach it a little different than we did our first (exhibition) game, but it won't be nearly like a regular-season game."

The Indians had an easy time in their first exhibition contest last Saturday, pounding Team Reebok 106-70 despite leading just 45-40 at halftime.

Four players scored in double figures for the Indians, who shot a blistering 67 percent from the field in the second half and finished at 61 percent. Amory Sanders led the way with 18 points, followed by Emmanul McCuthison with 17, Daniel Weaver with 16 and Nyah Jones with 14.

"Overall, I was pleased," said Garner of the exhibition opener. "We played everybody and used a lot of different combinations. There were a lot of negative spots, but we had some really bright spots."

Garner said he was encouraged by the play of several of his inside people, including centers Jones and Rogers and power forward Weaver.

"As everybody knows, one of our big concerns is our inside play," Garner said. "Nyah Jones and Terry Rogers played well and Daniel Weaver had a very good game, and not just scoring. He has a good feel for the game and his stock has definitely risen.

"Amory Sanders played more than anybody and he shot the ball well. He shot the ball OK last year, but I think he'll really shoot well this year. He was a great shooter in junior college."

Garner complimented the play of point guard Michael Stokes, small forward Emmanuel McCuthison and power forward Drew DeMond, and he had high praise for freshman point guard Joel Shelton, who will back up Stokes this season.

"I thought Joel really looked poised for a freshman," said Garner. "He has great vision and instinct to find the open man."

While Garner was pleased with what happened Saturday, he wants to remind Southeast fans that the Indians are a long way off from being a finished product.

"We have a long way to go, a long way to go," he said. "It's just a matter of practicing hard every day and getting better, and seeing how far we can go."

INDIAN NOTES: Tickets for the eight-team University of Missouri-Kansas City Thanksgiving Tournament that Southeast will compete in can be purchased from the Southeast Ticket Office.

Tickets are $25 each and cover all sessions in the three-day event Nov. 24-26.