Indians try to build on a thrilling opener

Southeast Missouri State University's basketball teams face different kinds of challenges as both return to action tonight following victories Friday night.

While the men will be heavy favorites over Kentucky Christian College in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at the Show Me Center, the women will be decided underdogs at 21st-ranked Oklahoma in a 7 p.m. tipoff.

Kentucky Christian competes in the nonscholarship National Christian College Athletic Association Division II. The Knights went 23-16 last year -- losing at Ohio Valley Conference teams Eastern Kentucky 106-71 and Morehead State 88-39 -- and are 3-3 so far this season. They also play Morehead State this year.

Southeast coach Gary Garner knows the Indians should be able to take care of business against one of the two non-Division I opponents on their schedule. But he's looking for continued improvement following Friday's season-opening 63-62 win over visiting Wisconsin-Green Bay.

"It was a good way to start the season for us, but we still have such a long way to go," Garner said. "The big thing is to just keep working hard and getting better."

While the Indians -- who with a win would start out a season 2-0 for the first time since 2000-2001 --returned all five starters from last year's 11-19 team, it's no secret that how most if not all of five key newcomers perform will hold a major key to a considerably improved record.

Those five new players combined for 37 of the Indians' 63 points Friday, led by junior forward Dainmon Gonner (14) and freshman guard Terrick Willoughby (11). Gonner, who played 34 minutes, also had been Southeast's leading scorer in its two exhibition games.

"Dainmon is just a warrior," Garner said. "I think we'll be able to count on him pretty well every night."

Quick to make a point

Willoughby was perhaps more of a surprise. Not recruited as a point guard, he started there Friday so the Indians could get another of their top athletes on the court. And he came through impressively. In addition to his scoring -- he hit three of five 3-pointers -- Willoughby dished out three assists without a turnover in 27 solid minutes.

"It was great. I felt comfortable," Willoughby said. "But I've got a long way to go. I'm just learning the system, but I've got a great supporting cast to help me out."

Two of last year's top players -- junior guard Derek Winans, the leading scorer the past two seasons, and senior center Brandon Griffin, who set a school rebounding record last year -- both added 10 points and Winans had a team-high four assists in 38 minutes.

"We know we have the talent this year, it's just a matter of putting it all together," Winans said.

Garner was encouraged that junior guard Reggie Golson -- another newcomer -- was able to play 14 minutes as he has come back quicker than anticipated from an ankle injury.

Golson showed plenty of rust, but also plenty of ability. He knocked down a 3-pointer and tied Gonner for team-high rebounding honors with five.

"Reggie is very rusty, but when he gets back in full swing, he'll really help us," Garner said.

Otahkians on the road

B.J. Smith's Otahkians (1-1), coming off Friday's home-opening 73-64 win over Southern Illinois, continue their brutal non-conference schedule at the 21st-ranked Sooners (1-0), who began their season with Saturday's 90-42 rout of Oral Roberts.

The Otahkians lost at 19th-ranked Utah 76-65 in their opener but led by a point with about eight minutes left. They faced Oklahoma for the first time ever last season and suffered an 87-59 loss.

Smith believes the Otahkians are better equipped to pull off an upset this time.

"They're very talented, but if we play well we ought to be in there," Smith said.

The game should be extra special for three Otahkians who are from Oklahoma: junior guard Sami Jo Cotton, sophomore guard Tiffanne Ryan and freshman guard Jessica Aebi.

Cotton scored 12 points against SIU while Aebi had 11 in a second straight strong performance. She led the Otahkians with 12 points at Utah.

"It's very exciting, being from Oklahoma," Cotton said. "We know what they're all about and we're looking forward to playing them."