Maxwell to miss tonight's game

The first time the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team faced Tennessee-Martin this season -- just last week -- the Redhawks had only seven available scholarship players.

That will be the case again tonight when the squads meet in Martin, Tenn.

Southeast acting coach Zac Roman said Wednesday that sophomore forward Jajuan Maxwell will not be available tonight due to a possible stress fracture in his back.

Maxwell apparently complained of back pain following Saturday's game against Eastern Kentucky.

Roman said an MRI is scheduled for Friday, after which the determination regarding Maxwell's availability for Saturday's contest at Murray State will be made.

"They [medical personnel] think it might be a stress fracture in the back," Roman said.

Maxwell has started eight of Southeast's 19 games. He is the Redhawks' fourth-leading scorer and No. 3 rebounder with averages of 6.7 points and 5.6 boards per contest.

Roman said Maxwell might end up doing what junior forward Israel Kirk has done.

Kirk, averaging 1.9 points and 2.3 rebounds, has a stress fracture in his foot but has continued to play, although the work he does in practice is very limited.

-- Marty Mishow