Indians pile it on early against Oaks

A big first half basically assured Southeast Missouri State University's Indians of running their all-time record against Oakland City to 17-0.

The Indians shot 62 percent to pile up a 29-point halftime lead and coasted to a 79-67 victory in front of 3,332 fans at the Show Me Center Saturday night.

Southeast improved to 5-3. The Division II Mighty Oaks, from Oakland City, Ind., fell to 5-6.

"Being Division II, we knew this was their big game of the year, so we wanted to jump on them quick," said junior guard Derek Winans, who scored 18 points and did not miss a shot, going 7-for-7 from the field, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range.

Senior forward Damarcus Hence, who started last year but had played in just one game so far this season -- partly because of injuries -- led the Indians with 20 points off the bench. He also had six rebounds and two blocked shots.

"I was just happy to be out there," Hence said. "I've been hurt, but I figured once my ankle and heel got better, I'd start playing more."

Senior center Brandon Griffin had a rare triple double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He leads the Indians in assists on the season.

"It felt real good. It's the first time I've ever gotten a triple double," Griffin said. "I thank my teammates for hitting all those shots."

Junior guard Mike Nelke had a hot first-half hand as he came off the bench to go 5-for-5 on 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes and scored all 15 of his points in the period.

With Winans scoring 10 of Southeast's first 12 points, the Indians started fast. They used a 22-0 run to open up a 31-8 lead and carried a 46-17 advantage into halftime.

Southeast expanded the lead to 36 points early in the second half but Oakland City hung tough to make the final score respectable.

"We put it up to 30 and we got a little complacent, but it was never out of hand," Winans said.

The Indians shot 62.1 percent from the field in the first half but faltered in the second half at 39.3 percent to finish at 50.9 percent (29 of 57). They made 13 of 25 3-pointers (52 percent).

Oakland City shot just 22.6 percent in the first half but made 53.3 percent in the second half to finish at 37.7 percent (23 of 61).

"We played pretty good in the first half but we just quit playing in the second half," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "Games like this are hard to play."

As is always the case when Southeast faces an overmatched opponent, Garner cleared his bench early and often as all 11 of his available players saw at least six minutes of action.

"This is the kind of game where you can play everybody and reward some of the guys who normally don't play very much but work just as hard in practice as everybody else," Garner said.

Junior forward Reggie Golson did not dress because of a dislocated finger suffered during Friday's practice, but it is not considered serious. Center Adam Crader dressed but did not play because of continuing back problems.

Leading scorer Dainmon Gonner played only six minutes as he was bothered by a sore groin that has given him problems at various times this season. Another starter, Norman Prather, played just nine minutes as he tweaked the ankle that has been giving him problems off and on.

"Dainmon's groin worries you," Garner said. "He was fine at the shootaround, but it bothered him when the game started."

Junior forward Russell Scott scored a game-high 21 points for Oakland City. Senior guard Clint Weddle added 16 points.

The Indians will have more than a week off before their next game, Dec. 22 against visiting North Texas.