Missed FTs haunt improving Redhawks men's basketball team

Arkansas State brought back most of the players from last year's basketball team that routed Southeast Missouri State by 24 points in Cape Girardeau.

It's probably a sign of how much second-year Southeast coach Dickey Nutt has upgraded the Redhawks' talent level that they took ASU to the wire in Saturday's rematch.

That was of little consolation to the Redhawks as they fell to 0-6 with a 56-50 loss in front of an announced 1,555 fans at the Show Me Center.

"It burns, losing," junior college transfer guard/forward Nate Schulte said. "That burn is going to keep us working hard."

ASU, which scored the game's final seven points to erase a 50-49 deficit, notched its first win of the season. The Red Wolves, who have not yet played at home while facing a rugged schedule, are 1-5.

Southeast Missouri State's Nate Schulte shoots over Arkansas State's Rashad Allison during Saturday's game. (Kristin Eberts)

"We just battled that one ... found a way to win it," said ASU coach John Brady, whose squad is picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference's West Division.

The same might have been said for the Redhawks if they had been able to pull out the victory.

Instead, Southeast suffered a tough home defeat for the second time in less than a week. The Redhawks' only other Show Me Center appearance so far ended with Monday's one-point overtime loss to Grambling.

"Naturally I'm disappointed," Nutt said. "It was a very winnable game. It should have been a win on our part.

"But we're getting better. I know our record doesn't show it, but we're improving."

Southeast has improved defensively in its last two outings, including Wednesday's 10-point loss at Arkansas.

The Redhawks also have picked up things on the boards.

But free throws continue to plague the Redhawks, who hit just 14 of 27 (51.9 percent) on Saturday.

"It all went down to the free-throw line," Nutt said. "You have to be able to shoot some free throws."

Southeast is making only 58.8 percent of its foul shots this season.

"We've been struggling from the free-throw line lately," juco transfer guard Nick Niemczyk said. "I think we're all pretty good shooters. ... It's all mental."

Especially struggling from the charity stripe has been junior forward Leon Powell, the Redhawks' top player so far who leads them in scoring, rebounding and free throws attempted.

Powell made only 2 of 7 foul shots against ASU, putting him at 18 of 40 (45 percent) for the season.

"It's just snowballed on him right now," Nutt said. "But I'm not concerned about him. I think he'll be a good free-throw shooter before it's all said and done."

Southeast actually hit 10 of its final 13 free throws after making just 4 of its first 14. The Redhawks were 2 of 9 from the line during an opening half that ended with them trailing 28-18.

"I was disappointed in our first half," Nutt said.

The Redhawks picked up their play in the final period after falling behind 35-24 as ASU matched its biggest advantage.

Niemczyk's 3-pointer with 11 minutes, 27 seconds left capped a 12-0 run and gave the Redhawks their first lead at 36-35.

There were eight lead changes and two ties the rest of the way as neither side led by more than three points until the final 30 seconds.

"I was pleased with our effort," Nutt said. "I thought we gave ourselves a chance to win."

Juco transfer guard Marcus Brister made 1 of 2 free throws with 2:17 left, putting Southeast up 50-49.

Martavius Adams, a 6-foot-8, 255-pound junior forward who began his college career at Oklahoma State, then came up with a play that turned things in ASU's favor.

Adams, among the Sun Belt's top inside players, grabbed two consecutive offensive rebounds following a missed shot by a teammate.

Adams was off on a put-back attempt after his first offensive board. He gathered his own miss, stepped back and nailed a 15-foot baseline jumper while being fouled with 1:39 remaining. He made the free throw for a 52-50 ASU advantage.

"He's really a good player. He's a horse," Nutt said about Adams, who had game highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Someone on the ASU bench -- apparently Brady -- could be heard urging Adams to pull the ball out just before he hit the shot.

"I think I was the only one hollering pull it out," joked Brady.

Adams hit several midrange jumpers over Southeast 7-foot juco transfer center Zach House after House blocked two of Adams' attempts from in close.

"I think it's a good shot," Adams said of his decision not to pull it out.

Southeast still had its chances, especially when Niemczyk stole a pass with 52 seconds left after the Redhawks committed a shot-clock violation.

Brister drove in close but his point-blank shot was off as Adams grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 30 seconds to play.

Adams nailed both free throws to make it 54-50. Two more ASU foul shots ended the scoring.

Niemczyk led Southeast with 12 points. Powell added 10 points and six rebounds.

Brister had seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Schulte provided a spark off the bench for the second straight game with seven points and seven rebounds.

Both teams were strong defensively as ASU shot 35.3 percent compared to 34 percent for Southeast.

"Overall I think we played hard," Schulte said. "I feel like we're moving in the right direction."

The Redhawks begin Ohio Valley Conference play Thursday at home against Austin Peay.