INDIANS FACE EAGLES, BRACE FOR A BEAR; SOUTHEAST EXPECTS STRONG ROAD CHALLENGE AT MOREHEAD

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Southeast Missouri State University's basketball team doesn't have to be reminded just how much Morehead State has improved since last season.

The Indians were very nearly upset by the Eagles when the teams met on Jan. 4 at the Show Me Center. Southeast had to rally late to squeeze out a 71-69 victory.

That's why Southeast coach Gary Garner is expecting nothing but a rugged battle here tonight when the squads square off in a 7 o'clock Ohio Valley Conference tipoff at Johnson Arena.

"This game is going to be a bear," said Garner. "It's probably going to be one of our toughest road games of the season."

At least Garner can take comfort in the fact that the Indians have proven to be invincible in conference road games so far this season, winning all five.

"That definitely gives you a good feeling when you go on the road, knowing how well this team has played on the road so far," Garner said. "For whatever reason, we just have a lot of confidence on the road. The guys just really pull together."

Southeast faces an extra challenge with this trip because it's the longest OVC trek of the season -- nearly 400 miles. That's a long time on the bus, although the Indians left Cape Girardeau Friday morning, giving them plenty of time to regroup and practice later in the day.

"It's a really long trip, but I believe we'll handle this one like we've handled all the others," said Garner.

The Indians, 12-6 overall, are a second-place 9-1 in OVC play. They fell 1 1/2 games behind Murray State after the Racers improved to 11-0 by beating Tennessee Tech Thursday night.

Morehead is 8-11 overall and 5-6 in the OVC following Thursday's 84-82 win over Eastern Illinois. That record might not seem impressive, but the Eagles finished 3-23 last season and wound up last in the 10-team OVC. They were picked to finish last this season but are challenging for an upper-division finish.

"They're probably the most improved team in the league," said Garner. "They have really improved their talent level. (Coach) Kyle Macy is doing a really good job."

Macy, the former Kentucky All-American and NBA player, definitely appears to have the Morehead program on the rise in his second season with the Eagles.

A strong recruiting class has been the primary reason for Morehead's improved play this season. The Eagles' four double-figure scorers are all newcomers, led by the nation's leading freshman scorer.

Erik Brown, a 6-foot-5 forward who was a high school standout in nearby Lexington, is a multi-dimensional player who averages 19.7 points per game, second-best in the OVC.

"Brown is just a great player, especially for a freshman," Garner said. "He had 36 in a game earlier this season (against Tennessee State) and he's capable of doing that again."

A trio of junior-college transfers are the Eagles' next three scorers: 6-3 guard Brad Cleaver (14.8 ppg), 6-4 guard Brett Bohanan (12.7 ppg) and 6-7 forward Scott Charity (10.4 ppg).

Bohanan is the OVC's top 3-pointer shooter at better than 45 percent while Cleaver is right behind at 44 percent. As a team, the Eagles lead the league from 3-point range at 39.1 percent.

Bohanan scored 18 points and Brown added 14 during the earlier meeting against the Indians. Cleaver did not play while becoming academically eligible.

Southeast center Bud Eley had the nation's first triple-double in that game as he scored 24 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked 10 shots.

"We only beat them by two at our place earlier. We had to rally to win it and they had a shot at the buzzer that would have forced overtime," Garner said. "They didn't have Cleaver that game and he's one of their better players.

"I think our players know how tough a game this will be and I think having that close a game with them earlier should help us. We'll be mentally ready to play."

SEMO at Morehead State

7 p.m., Johnson Arena, Morehead, Ky.

Probable Starters

SEMO (12-6, 9-1 OVC)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Mike Branson F Jr. 6-6 10.8

Roderick Johnson F Jr. 6-7 11.3

Bud Eley C Sr. 6-10 14.6

Cory Johnson G Sr. 6-0 11.3

Kahn Cotton G Sr. 5-10 9.1

Morehead State (8-11, 5-6 OVC)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Erik Brown F Fr. 6-5 19.7

Jeremy Webb F Jr. 6-6 6.4

Kyle Umberger C Fr. 6-7 8.1

Brad Cleaver G Jr. 6-3 14.8

Ted Docks G Sr. 5-8 3.2

Series: SEMO leads 8-7

Last Meeting: SEMO won 71-69 on Jan. 4

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