INDIANS WIN, REMAIN PERFECT IN OVC; SE PICKS UP ROAD WIN AT MTSU 73-63

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- It's just not supposed to be this easy to win league games on the road.

But Southeast Missouri State University's basketball team is sure making it look that way.

The Indians picked up their third straight convincing road victory over a top Ohio Valley Conference contender Thursday night when they knocked off Middle Tennessee State 73-63 in front of 4,237 fans at the Murphy Center.

MTSU was picked fourth in the OVC's preseason poll. Last month, the Indians won at both Tennessee State and Austin Peay, the preseason No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the league.

But it's preseason No. 5 Southeast that is leading the league right now. The Indians, 8-5 overall, improved to 5-0 in OVC play and moved into sole possession of first place in the conference, a half-game ahead of defending champion and heavy favorite Murray State.

The Blue Raiders fell to 4-10 overall, 2-2 in the OVC.

"This is a big win for us on the road against a good team," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "I don't know what the reason is, but we're definitely playing better on the road than at home. We play with a lot more intensity on the road than at home."

Southeast's defensive intensity was what impressed Garner the most Thursday night.

"Our defensive effort was strong," Garner said. "That's our best game in two years for keeping our defensive intensity for 40 minutes. From the opening whistle to the final buzzer, I don't think we ever let up defensively.

"They hit some tough shots, but we gave them very few open shots."

Senior guard Kahn Cotton, who had been in a shooting slump, found his touch and scored a team-high 18 points. Cotton was 5-for-9 from 3-point range.

"I knew it was bound to come back," said Cotton. "It was just a matter of getting my legs under me (Cotton missed the first several games of the season with knee problems). I never lost confidence in my shot."

Of the Indians' strong road performances this season, Cotton said, "We probably get a little more motivated on the road because we know it's tougher to win on the road."

Senior center Bud Eley had his sixth straight double-double as he scored 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Eley also blocked three shots.

Junior forward Mike Branson contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds as he and Eley helped the Indians dominate the boards 43 to 31.

"I think we just get better prepared on the road," said Branson. "We need to start playing this way at home."

MTSU guard Richard Duncan led all scorers with 20 points. Lee Nosse added 14 points and Dale Thomas had 11.

"You can't make mistakes against a team like SEMO and expect to win," said MTSU coach Randy Wiel. "We had a tough time with Eley. SEMO just has a really good team."

Although the Indians hit several rough spots -- as might be expected on the road -- they basically controlled the game from start to finish and several times appeared on the verge of blowing out the Raiders in their own gym.

MTSU scored the first four points and led 5-2 early. The Raiders were still ahead 10-8 when the Indians went on a 14-0 run to assume command.

Eley's basket inside put Southeast on top 12-10 and Cotton's 3-pointer completed the flurry, making it 22-10 midway through the opening half.

The Raiders clawed back the rest of the half, pulling to within two points late before the Indians carried a 36-33 lead into the break.

Southeast started the second half strong, scoring the first seven points to go ahead 43-33. Eley hit one of two free throws, Eley scored inside, Demetrius Watson got a steal and layup and Branson knocked down a 15-footer.

Cotton's 3-pointer with 17 minutes left made it 46-35. Then Eley scored two straight baskets inside as the Indians opened up a 50-37 lead -- their biggest of the game.

It was 52-39 a short time later when the Raiders made a run. They pulled to within 57-53 on a Thomas bucket with just under seven minutes remaining.

It was 59-55 when Eley scored inside and Branson hit a 10-footer, boosting Southeast's lead to 63-55.

Eley went down with a sprained ankle at the 4:55 mark. He came out of the game but returned moments later and appeared to be moving around fine.

The Indians began to pull away again as Cotton drilled consecutive 3-pointers, the second putting Southeast ahead 69-57 with 2:45 left.

MTSU pulled to within 69-61 and had a chance to draw closer with under a minute remaining. But the Raiders could not convert.

Southeast then iced the victory from the free-throw line as Branson and Cory Johnson each hit a pair of foul shots in the final 40 seconds.

"We've concentrated on our defense a lot," Branson said. "We know that's what we need to win on the road."

Southeast will remain on the road to take on Tennessee Tech in Cookeville Saturday night.

"This is a great way to start the road trip because now the worst we can do is split," Garner said. "To have already beaten the second, third and fourth teams in the OVC (preseason poll) is a great accomplishment.

"But how we handle success will determine how much success we have. We have to stay focused and have another very good performance at Tennessee Tech."