BILES LEAVES INDIANS

Southeast Missouri men's basketball coach Gary Garner announced Saturday that sophomore point guard Jeramy Biles has left the team.

Biles, a sophomore transfer from St. Louis University, cited personal and family obligations for leaving the team. Garner said Biles was academically eligible and it was not an issue.

"Jeramy is just going through a tough time right now," said Garner.

Biles missed the Indians' last two games after his infant son fell and injured his mouth. The home accident required surgery.

"We certainly wish Jeramy success in any future endeavors and we wish his son a speedy recovery," Garner said. "Biles played well for us at times this season and his talents will be missed."

A first-team Class 3A All-State player out of Charleston High School, Biles opted for St. Louis University and saw considerable playing time as a freshman under Billikens coach Charlie Spoonhour. He was named to the Conference USA all-freshman team in the 1996-1997 season.

However, Biles encountered academic eligibility problems and enrolled at Southeast the following year. He sat out the entire 1997-98 season and became eligible to play for Southeast this season.

He started seven of the nine games he played and averaged 5.2 points and 3.7 assists.

With Biles the Indians boasted plenty of depth at point guard with senior Kahn Cotton recently returning from knee problems and the addition of freshman Fred Abraham.

Cotton and Abraham have split play the last two games.

In Monday's 70-49 loss to SIU-Carbondale, Cotton played 24 minutes and Abraham saw 21 minutes of action.

Cotton played 33 minutes in the 75-64 loss to Oklahoma State on Wednesday and Abraham played seven minutes.

"Abraham, who played well at St. Louis and at Oklahoma State, will just have to step up and get the job done," said Garner.