INDIANS SEARCH FOR HOME GAME WHILE ON ROAD; SOUTHEAST VISITS UT-MARTIN

Southeast Missouri State University's basketball team took care of business at home.

Now the Indians will attempt to do the same on the road as they close out the regular season.

Their first road test in this stretch drive will take place tonight against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks (7:45 tipoff). Then the regular season will come to a close Saturday afternoon at Eastern Illinois.

"Coming off two big home wins, we should go back out on the road with a lot of confidence," said Southeast coach Ron Shumate. "These last two road games will be very tough for us, but they're extremely important."

Important indeed. As the Ohio Valley Conference regular season comes to a close this week, things are totally up for grabs as far as the league's post-season tournament is concerned.

The Indians have already clinched one of eight spots in the OVC tourney, which will be played next week. But they're still very much in the running for one of the first-round home games that goes to the top four finishers in the 10-team league.

Southeast (12-15 overall, 9-7 OVC) is in sole possession of fifth place, just one-half game behind Middle Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech, who are tied for third at 10-7. Murray State is second at 11-6 while Austin Peay leads the league at 11-5.

"It's going to go to the last day of the regular season (Saturday) before anything is basically decided," Shumate said. "Until then, you can't worry about what anybody else does. You just have to try and keep winning."

In their sixth season in the league, the Indians are finally eligible for the OVC tourney. Conversely, UTM's Skyhawks -- in their fifth season in the league -- are still not eligible for the conference tournament.

But that doesn't mean the Skyhawks (10-15 overall, 7-9 OVC) aren't playing good basketball right now. They're won three straight games and are tied for seventh place in the league.

"We don't have the incentive that SEMO has, obviously, with the conference tournament situation," said UTM coach Cal Luther. "Our kids have to play on pride and emotion, but I don't think we're having any problem with that.

"We've been playing pretty fair. Of course, in this league, a lot depends on where you're playing. You always play better at home."

But the Skyhawks have also played fairly well on the road, as evidenced by their overtime loss at Southeast and their double-overtime loss at Tennessee State earlier in the season.

"We've played everybody tough," said Luther. "We just haven't been able to win some of those close games on the road."

The Skyhawks are led by former Century (Ill.) High and Shawnee (Ill.) Community College standout B.J. Nelson, a 6-foot-5 senior forward who averages 13.4 points per game. Nelson hit 10 of 15 shots and scored 24 points during Monday's 100-85 romp past Morehead State.

"B.J. is playing really well for us," Luther said. "He gives you absolutely 100 percent all the time. He's really improved as a player since he's been here."

Also averaging in double figures for the Skyhawks is 6-8 sophomore center Joe Crumby at 11.9 points per game.

While the Skyhawks aren't all that imposing physically, Shumate is rightfully wary. Luther is a crafty veteran coach who always seems to squeeze every possible ounce out of his team.

"They're playing very well, they always seem to get sky high for us and coach Luther always has them very prepared to play," said Shumate. "It's going to be a really difficult challenge for us."

SEMO vs. Tennessee-Martin

7:45 p.m., Martin, Tenn.

Probable Starters

SEMO (12-15, 9-7 OVC)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

David Montgomery F So. 6-8 8.2

Reggie Crisp F Sr. 6-5 4.1

Bud Eley C Jr. 6-10 17.8

Calvert White G Jr. 6-4 13.6

Allen Hatchett G So. 5-10 9.7

UTM (10-15, 7-9 OVC)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

B.J. Nelson F Sr. 6-5 13.4

Hamp Harper F Jr. 6-5 3.4

Joe Crumby C So. 6-8 11.9

Demarko Wright G Sr. 6-5 9.8

William McFadden G Sr. 5-10 4.6

Series: 25-11 SEMO

Radio: K103-FM