Morehead State duo dooms Indians' upset

One of the Ohio Valley Conference's most improved players and perhaps its best player joined forces Thursday night to turn aside Southeast Missouri State University's upset bid.

Chez Marks and Ricky Minard combined for 63 points as Morehead State solidified its hold on the OVC's top spot by easing past the Indians 79-69 in front of an announced crowd of 4,719 at the Show Me Center.

The Eagles improved to 15-6 overall and 9-1 in the OVC. The Indians fell to 9-13 and 4-6.

"They were lighting it up," MSU coach Kyle Macy said of his dynamic duo.

No kidding.

Marks, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, averaged just under nine points per game last year during a season marked by injury and inconsistency.

But Marks has been healthy and consistent this season. He entered Thursday's contest averaging just over 16 points per game and was second in the OVC in 3-point shooting at nearly 43 percent.

Marks poured in a career-high 33 points Thursday -- 19 coming in the first half -- as he made 12 of 17 field-goal attempts, including six of nine 3-pointers.

"He's always been an outstanding shooter," Macy said. "He's playing with a lot of confidence and doing well."

Said Marks, who burned Southeast for 26 points earlier this season when MSU won in Morehead, Ky., "Coach gave me a chance, and I'm taking advantage of it. I'm playing real good."

It doesn't hurt Marks that opposing defenses have to concentrate so much on Minard, a 6-4 junior swingman who has been a star since his freshman season and is arguably the OVC's premier all-around player.

An inside-outside threat who is also a strong ballhandler and passer, the silky-smooth Minard scored 30 points Thursday, 21 coming in the second half. Minard, averaging nearly 21 points to rank second in the OVC, hit 13 of 19 shots and also grabbed nine rebounds to go along with four assists.

"They team up on Ricky, and he's not selfish. He gets met the ball," Marks said. "Who wouldn't concentrate on Ricky? When they do, it opens it up for me."

Said Southeast coach Gary Garner, "Marks has really improved. He's given them a second threat that all championship-type teams need. And Minard is a great player. He can do just about everything."

Marks and Minard helped the Eagles overcome a Southeast performance that was solid in most areas.

"We played good," Garner said. "We had a couple of dry spells, but you have to give them credit. They are a very good team and Kyle Macy has done a great job."

Sophomore guard Derek Winans led the Indians with 21 points. He hit eight of 12 from the field, including five of seven 3-pointers, and added seven assists.

"I thought we came out and played hard. We kept fighting," Winans said. "You have to give them credit. They've got a good team. Marks can really shoot, and Minard is a great player."

Sophomore guard Brett Hale continued his recent hot shooting as he went 9-for-13 and scored 20 points. Hale has averaged nearly 22 points over his last four games.

"Brett is just playing with so much confidence," Garner said.

Junior center Brandon Griffin posted his 10th double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Senior forward Tim Scheer added 11 points, and sophomore point guard Kevin Roberts recorded a career-high 13 assists as he solidified his hold on the OVC lead in that category.

Southeast jumped on top by eight points early and led most of the first half, but Marks drilled a 3-pointer with 2:54 remaining to put MSU up 31-28, and the Eagles never lost the lead after that.

The Eagles, ahead 37-33 at halftime, saw Southeast pull to within one point early in the final period, then steadily pulled away. An 8-0 run put them up 56-46 with 12 minutes left, and they later built three 12-point leads.

Trailing 73-61, Southeast had one final gasp as Scheer hit consecutive 3-pointers, the second making it 73-67 with 29 seconds left. But the Eagles scored the next four points to ice things.

"They came out and played hard. I give them credit. They always play hard, and they're a good basketball team," Minard said. "We answered the call when it was time."

Southeast shot 46.7 percent (28 of 60), made eight of 17 3-pointers and had just 10 turnovers.

MSU shot 54.4 percent (31 of 57) -- largely because of Marks and Minard -- hit eight of 16 3-pointers and also had only 10 turnovers.

"You can't really pick out anything that we did wrong," Garner said. "They were just too good for us tonight."

Particularly the M&M show.

mmishow@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 132