Injury ends Foust's career at Southeast

~ The senior will undergo surgery after injuring his knee in Saturday's loss.

Brandon Foust's college basketball career is over, just when he was playing at the highest level of his two-year Southeast Missouri State career.

An MRI on Monday afternoon revealed extensive damage in the senior forward's right knee, which he injured during the second half of Saturday's loss at Austin Peay.

Foust will need surgery, which probably will be performed in a few weeks after the swelling in the knee goes down and he has a chance to strengthen the muscles around the knee.

"I feel very, very saddened by the fact Brandon's collegiate career has ended," Southeast coach Scott Edgar said. "I feel blessed I was able to be a part of it."

Foust, Southeast's only preseason all-Ohio Valley Conference pick, is the Redhawks' second-leading scorer at 11.6 points per game. He is tied for first in rebounding with a 6.4 average, which ranks eighth in the OVC.

Foust had recorded four double-doubles in five games, and he had grabbed at least 10 rebounds in five straight contests before Saturday's game.

"Brandon was having a great year. He was building a resume to be a first-team all-conference player," Edgar said. "I told him the other day, and I just told him now, I've never seen somebody make as much improvement as I have him."

Foust -- Southeast's leading scorer last year after transferring from Oklahoma -- developed into Southeast's top all-around player this season, but Edgar said he had also turned into a true leader for the Redhawks.

"We're not only going to miss his points, his rebounds and everything else he does on the floor," Edgar said. "We're going to miss his intangibles maybe more than his actual statistics, and his toughness. I think Brandon makes as good a decisions as we've had here the last two years. He makes other players better."

Foust was injured Saturday as he came down awkwardly after a dunk following a steal with just under 12 minutes left in the second half.

Foust stayed down on the court for several minutes before being helped to the locker room by teammates. He came out a short time later on crutches with a big wrap around the knee and remained on the bench.

Foust, whose right knee bothered him at various times this season, also tweaked the knee a bit earlier in the week during a practice.

"It was just a freak accident. I came down on it wrong," Foust said. "It's very disappointing. The season was going pretty good."

Foust said he plans to remain a part of the team, lending moral support during practices and from the bench during games.

"I'll still be there cheering them on," he said.

Foust said he has no doubt the Redhawks (11-7, 6-2), who are in second place in the OVC, can remain in contention for the league title.

"I told them they'll just have to step it up," he said. "I think they will."

After having surgery in a few weeks, Foust said he will attack his rehabilitation and get back to 100 percent so he can pursue playing professionally overseas.

"I would think he would have a good chance, if that's his desire," Edgar said.

Depth has been one of Southeast's strengths this season, and Edgar said he hopes that will allow the Redhawks to overcome the loss of Foust.

"We will miss Brandon very much, but we do have some depth and I think this team should be able to collectively fight through it," Edgar said. "Everybody has to pitch in, I've got to become a better coach and we have to continue to have the best fans in the OVC."

The Redhawks, who have lost two straight, have two more conference road games this week, at Tennessee State (6-10, 3-4) on Thursday and Tennessee Tech (7-11, 4-4) on Saturday.

Southeast beat both squads earlier this season at the Show Me Center.