ELEY OUT AT LEAST THREE MORE GAMES

Although he continues to make solid progress, Bud Eley's hopes of getting into a basketball game this week have been dashed.

It was announced Wednesday that Eley, Southeast Missouri State University's standout center, will miss at least three more games because of the broken bone in his foot.

The 6-foot-10 Eley, who was injured against Southern Illinois on Dec. 11, has already missed five games.

Southeast trainer Lance McNamara said x-rays taken Wednesday indicated the bone was healing nicely and that Eley would begin rehabilitation exercises immediately but that he would not be ready for basketball action until at least the Tennessee-Martin game on Jan. 15.

It had been hoped that Eley could possibly see limited action during the Indians' two big home games this week. Southeast faces Tennessee Tech tonight and Middle Tennessee State Saturday night, followed by a Tuesday night game at Tennessee State.

Eley was averaging team highs of 18.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game prior to his injury.