Garner - Indians' start against UMR was a positive step

It was only an exhibition game, but Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner figures his team's season is already off to a positive start.

Last year, the Indians suffered an exhibition loss to Division II Missouri-St. Louis and went on to finish with a 6-22 record. Nobody will ever know how much of an impact, if any, that defeat had on Southeast.

But Garner didn't want to have an exhibition loss to a Division II team on his players' minds this season. He won't have to worry about that after Saturday night's 77-53 rout of Missouri-Rolla at the Show Me Center.

The Indians will have their final exhibition game Friday, hosting the Dreambuilders at 7:30 p.m. There will be no admission charge.

"One of the important things is that we won the game, and we won it rather convincingly. There was never any doubt," Garner said during his weekly media conference Monday. "Coming off the year we had, I was glad to see us win the way we did. Even though it was a Division II team, it should give us confidence."

Southeast received several strong individual performances. Leading the way was junior swingman Damarcus Hence, who hit 10 of 15 shots -- including all three of his 3-point attempts -- and grabbed nine rebounds on his way to a game-high 23 points.

Hence, who at 6-feet-6 can be effective inside as well as outside, has long been regarded as one of the Indians' most talented players. He had his moments last season, averaging 6.2 points per game, but Garner is still waiting for him to put everything together. The coach hopes Saturday is an indication that this might be the year.

"Damarcus might be our most talented player and he showed some of that Saturday night," Garner said. "It's very encouraging because he's one player on our team who is talented enough to just go get points.

"He's been in our program four years and he'll get an opportunity. Now we'll see if he takes advantage of it. We've got our fingers crossed because he has the talent to make us a better basketball team."

Sophomore guard Brett Hale, cited previously by Garner as being perhaps the team's most improved player from last year, showed some of that Saturday when he scored 19 points and hit three of five 3-pointers.

Center Brandon Griffin, a junior-college transfer who has also drawn praise from Garner during the preseason, had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Winans at the point

Even though sophomore guard Derek Winans, last year's Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year when he was the Indians' leading scorer, had an off-night shooting, Garner liked the way he ran things at the point.

Winans had eight assists and just two turnovers in 38 minutes. Garner entered practice planning to rotate Winans and Hale at point guard but has decided to turn things over to Winans, with sophomore Kevin Roberts his backup. Roberts had six assists and no turnovers in 17 minutes Saturday.

"I was really happy with Derek," Garner said. "It looks like he will be our point guard. I don't see Brett logging any minutes at the point right now."

Rebounding was Southeast's biggest weakness last season, with defense also a sore spot. The Indians outrebounded the Miners by 13 and held them to 35.7 percent shooting.

"We have really emphasized rebounding," Garner said. "It's still our biggest concern. I know we're better, I just don't know how much.

"Defense was probably the best thing about the night. We played with a lot of energy, enthusiasm."

Added Garner, "I think we'll be a much more balanced scoring team this year. Hopefully we'll have four, five guys who can score. I think we'll be able to put enough points on the board. Our biggest concerns are rebounding and defense."

Injury situation

Senior forward Tim Scheer, last year's second-leading scorer, suffered a strained right calf muscle Saturday. Garner said the injury does not appear to be serious, although Scheer is questionable for Friday.

Forward Reggie Golson, a junior-college transfer who is being counted on heavily, could begin practicing this week.

Golson has not practiced yet as he continues to rehabilitate from arthroscopic knee surgery. Golson is scheduled to meet Wednesday with the team's physician, Dr. William Thorpe. If the knee checks out, Golson could begin practicing Thursday.

"We really need Reggie back," Garner said. "We just don't have much depth."

Sophomore center Adam Crader did not play Saturday because of a bout with the flu, but he should be fine for Friday.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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