HOOP SCOOP: BIG WINS MARK BIG WEEK FOR SOUTHEAST

I am beginning this article just like I did last week. It has been a great week for Southeast Missouri State basketball, with wins over Tennessee State and Austin Peay.

It was certainly no place for the weak at heart with both games coming down to the last shot. That can be a little trying on one's nerves, but it sure is exciting.

As I have mentioned before, the Ohio Valley Conference has a tremendous amount of parity. Any team can win on a given night. Seven of our last eight games have been decided by four points or less. We are 4-3 in those games.

Austin Peay came to town leading the OVC, but our players put forth a tremendous effort and got the victory Monday night 73-72. That win puts us within one game of the lead in the OVC.

Our team is really coming together at the right time of year. We finally have something to motivate ourselves with the possibility of playing in the OVC Tournament. The morale of our team is high and we are playing with every fiber in our body. Some things go wrong at times, but it's not that we are not giving it everything we have. Our players are leaving everything on the court and that's what you like to see as a coach.

To make it pure and simple, I am proud of these guys. Our schedule has been tough, but that is what we wanted to prepare us for this time of year. I don't think anyone in the conference has played such a demanding schedule. Hopefully, this will be a benefit to us down the stretch.

Being eligible for the OVC Tournament means so much to this team. I want to personally thank all of you who have hung in there with us. Now we are playing hard for you.

Next up for the Indians is Murray State on Thursday in a 7:30 p.m. game at the Show Me Center that will be regionally televised by KBSI-Fox 23. I have a great deal of respect for Murray State's program and players. Coach (Mark) Gottfried is doing an excellent job and he will have the Racers ready.

Murray State beat us 77-75 in a great game on Jan. 23 at Murray. They have a great player in Vincent Rainey, who averages 23.5 points per game. Right behind him in the OVC scoring race are Deteri Mayes (20.8 ppg) and our own Bud Eley (17.4 ppg).

Rainey scored 25 points the first time we played Murray this year and Eley countered with a career-high 34 points and 20 rebounds.

If this is what our fans have been waiting for, it is here! A first-place showdown with Murray is on the line Thursday night in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Murray will be ready and so will Southeast Missouri. We have an opportunity to challenge league leader Murray for the top spot in the OVC.

Great players, a great rivalry and first place in the league. What more can you ask for?

Needless to say, we need your support. Put on your red and black, put the dogs in the pen and come on out for a great night of basketball.

Hopefully we can show the world how Southeast Missouri loves its basketball

Ron Shumate is the head basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State University