FORMER SE INDIANS THRIVING IN USBL

The Jackson (Tenn.) Jackals are struggling along in last place in the United States Basketball League, but that is apparently no fault of former Southeast Missouri State University standouts Devon Lake and Jermall Morgan.

Lake and Morgan are two of the top three scorers for the Jackals, who were 2-8 and in last place in the eight-team USBL prior to Thursday night's road game against the Florida Sharks.

"The team is struggling, but Devon and Jermall are really playing well," said John Aquino, a Jackals' assistant general manager who is in charge of media relations.

Lake, a 6-foot-3 guard who finished up his Southeast playing career in the 1992-93 season, is the Jackals' second-leading scorer with an average of 27.8 points per game. He is also Jackson's top 3-point shooter, having hit 12 of 23 for 52 percent.

Morgan, a 6-9 center who finished up his Southeast playing career this past season, 1994-95, is the Jackals' third-leading scorer at 14.3 points per game. He also leads the squad in rebounding with an average of 7.7 boards per contest and is the club's top field-goal percentage shooter at 54 percent (54 of 101).

Jackson's leading scorer is former Vanderbilt standout Ronnie McMahon, who averages 23.1 points per game.

The USBL, which serves largely to showcase former college players from throughout the nation, has a 26-game season which lasts until July 2.