Last season's frailty reappears in SE's opening loss to ASU

Even against a daunting task, Southeast Missouri State University coach Gary Garner believed the Indians, if they played well, could upset Arkansas State in Friday night's season opener.

Well, Garner said the Indians did play fairly well -- except they got hammered on the boards, which paved the way for an 83-71 ASU victory in Jonesboro, Ark.

But Garner was far from distressed following the contest. In fact, he was relatively encouraged after the Indians held their own against a talented ASU squad in virtually every area except rebounding.

"I'm not discouraged at all," Garner said. "You're always disappointed when you lose, but I thought we played well other than in one area."

And that area made all the difference as the Indians were outrebounded 41-31, including 24-11 on the offensive end. That final statistic probably had the biggest impact on the game as it helped ASU to 20 more field-goal attempts than Southeast.

So even though the Indians shot a far better percentage from the field -- 51.9 to 41.7 -- all those extra attempts proved to be crucial.

"When you shoot 52 percent, you figure you'll have a pretty good chance to win most games," Garner said. "And I thought we played pretty good defense. But we just got totally dominated on the boards. You're not going to win giving up 24 offensive rebounds. It doesn't do you much good to play good defense if they're going to keep getting the ball back."

Even though 6-8 center Brandon Griffin, Southeast's only true consistent inside presence right now, played less than five minutes in the first half because of foul trouble and 6-7 forwards Tim Scheer and Reggie Golson missed the game with injuries, Garner said the Indians could have still fared better on the boards.

"I think we should have rebounded better. I'm really disappointed with them kicking our butts on the boards. That was the whole game," Garner said.

An Indian concern

Rebounding was Southeast's major weakness last year and contributed greatly to a 6-22 record. After just one game, Garner isn't ready to say the Indians will fare poorly on the boards again this season, although he has emphasized that area in practice and knows two things -- that the jury is still out on whether Southeast will be a decent rebounding team and that area probably holds the key to the season.

Garner knows one other thing -- the Indians, with just nine scholarship players, are not nearly deep enough to overcome the loss of Scheer and Golson, who are being counted on as two of Southeast's key performers this season.

Scheer has a strained calf muscle that does not appear serious and he should be ready to return any day now, perhaps as early as Monday night's home opener against NAIA Central Methodist.

Golson, a junior-college transfer who will add much-needed athleticism to the lineup, could see action as early as the University Hoops Classic in New Orleans that begins Thursday, although he likely won't be at full strength for a while.

"We definitely need Tim and Reggie in the lineup," Garner said. "We're not nearly deep enough where we can be without some key players, but once we get everybody healthy, I think we can have a good basketball team."

Hence shines again

Damarcus Hence, who averaged just 6.2 points per game last season, poured in 41 points in Southeast's two exhibition games, which gave Garner hope that his talented 6-6 junior forward would start living up to some of his vast potential.

If Friday's performance is any indication, Hence is well on his way. Proving extremely difficult to guard even for the ultra-quick ASU players, Hence scored a career-high 24 points in a variety of ways -- from 3-pointers to mid-range jumpers to acrobatic tip-ins to free throws as he drew several fouls.

Hence hit eight of 12 shots from the field, including two of five 3-pointers, and he made six of eight free throws -- in addition to grabbing eight rebounds, also a career high, to tie Griffin for the team lead.

Hence said increased confidence has played a big role in his early success, but "I wish we would have won the game," he said.

Two members of Friday's opposing side have seen Hence display his skills several times -- and they believe he's ready for a breakout season.

Said London, like Hence a native of Memphis, Tenn., "I saw him play in high school and in summer league. He's a good scorer. I think he can have a great season."

Added ASU coach Dickey Nutt, who recruits heavily in the Memphis area, "He grew a couple of inches and became a lot better player the last couple of years. We watched him and recruited him."

Beck has impact

A bevy of talented guards could cut into his playing time this season, but former Scott City High School star Jon Beck still should be a key performer for ASU.

Beck, a 6-foot senior guard who is fifth in career 3-point field goals made at ASU, played 11 minutes Friday and scored all seven of his points in the second half. His 15-foot jumper with 10:27 remaining accounted for ASU's biggest lead of the night at 68-50.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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