Indians deliver in must-win opener

It may have been an exhibition game, but Saturday night's game against Missouri-Rolla at the Show Me Center was about as must-win as an exhibition game can get.

Coming off of a 6-22 season that included an exhibition loss to the University of Missouri-St. Louis last season, the Indians weren't taking anything for granted against the Miners and led from start to finish in a 77-53 win.

"That's giving a statement," Southeast junior-college transfer Brandon Griffin said of the Indians' exhibition win. "We cannot go 6-22 this year."

Indians coach Gary Garner said Saturday's game was the most important exhibition game for the team since he's been their coach.

"We had to win to build confidence," he said.

Southeast set the tone early with tight defense that forced 10 first half turnovers. The Miners were able to tie the score at three early on, but with a Derek Winans three pointer six minutes into the half Southeast went up 11 and let the lead slip below double digits only once more the entire game.

Helping pace Southeast's early lead was the shooting of junior Damarcus Hence, who was 7-of-11 shooting in the first half for 16 points. Hence scored his 16 points in only 17 minutes of playing time.

"Damarcus Hence is a talented player," Garner said. "I just hope he can build off this game."

A key to the Indians' first-half surge was the work of their defense. Southeast held the Miners to seven field goals in the first half, holding Rolla to 30 percent shooting from the field.

With a 16 point lead coming out of halftime, Southeast showed no signs of slowing down. Griffin scored four quick points early, and sophomore Brett Hale hit back-to-back threes to extend the lead to 22 seven minutes into the second half.

Hale stepped his game up in the second half after making only one field goal in the first half. Hale ended up hitting three 3-pointers in the second half, and posted 15 of his 19 points in the half.

Griffin treated Show Me Center fans with a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds. Griffin was also third on the team in assists with four.

"It felt great being in front of a big crowd," Griffin said of the 1,525 in attendance.

Garner said Southeast fans are really going to appreciate Griffin's game.

"He's definitely gonna help us a lot," Garner said of Griffin. "He is a very, very unselfish player."

With Griffin and company crashing the boards, Southeast held a 13 rebound advantage over the Miners. The Indians were led by Griffin's 10, with Hence adding nine and Demetrius King eight.

"Demetrius and Damarcus really went to the boards for us," Garner said.

After consistently losing the rebound battle a year ago, Saturday's performance was certainly a positive sign for the team.

"We out-rebounded them by 13," Garner said. "We didn't out-rebound anyone by 13 last year."

With Southeast cruising, up by as much as 31 at one point late in the game, senior Tim Scheer, last year's second-leading scorer, went down with what looked like a muscle pull. Scheer's status for Friday's exhibition against the Dreambuilders wasn't certain.

Scheer's status aside, the exhibition opener was full of positives. The Indians held Rolla to 35 percent shooting from the field, and shot over 50 percent from the field in the second half themselves.

"I thought it was a very positive night for this time of year," Garner said.

Hence said the win was big considering last year's late collapse against UMSL.

"This is starting the year right," he said.

With Southeast's first exhibition win under their belts, Garner said much work still remains.

"We need to be a lot better come next Friday night," he said.

Winans, Southeast's top scorer last year, led the team in assists with eight, to go along with nine points. King also added nine points.

Brian Westre led the Miners with 15 points and eight rebounds. Cape Central product Eric Wessel had three points in 13 minutes of play.

Southeast's lone freshman recruit, Cole Grapperhaus, fouled out in six minutes.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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