Redhawks collect first win against Culver-Stockton

~ Southeast emerged with an 87-78 victory Friday night.

Southeast Missouri State's first win of the season came a lot tougher than anybody expected.

But in the end, the Redhawks had just enough to hold off Culver-Stockton 87-78 Friday night.

A Show Me Center crowd announced at 2,924 for Southeast's home opener watched nervously as the Wildcats pushed the Redhawks to the limit.

Culver-Stockton, an NAIA, Division II team that went 12-18 last season and had split its first four games this year, led several times in the second half and trailed by four points with under two minutes left.

Senior center Mike Rembert said it was tougher than the Redhawks anticipated.

"But any time you play teams like this, they always seem to step up their game," Rembert said. "I'll take a win however we can get it."

Among the highlights of the night for Southeast (1-2) was the return of Rembert, who sat out the first two games as he continued to rehab from knee surgery.

Rembert scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in 13 minutes.

"I felt really good, just excited to be out there," said Rembert, who estimated that his right knee was about 75 or 80 percent. "It's encouraging, but I still have a long way to go."

Said Southeast coach Scott Edgar: "It was great to get Mike out there."

Sophomore point guard Roderick Pearson led the Redhawks offensively with 18 points, 17 coming in the second half.

"We came out with the victory. That's all we wanted," Pearson said.

Sophomore guard Marcus Rhodes added 14 points, 12 coming in the second half.

Rhodes also keyed Southeast's pressure defense with four steals as the Redhawks forced 24 turnovers. He added a team-high four assists.

Pearson and Rhodes led Southeast's stretch run as the duo repeatedly penetrated inside to either score, get to the line or find open teammates.

"Marcus and Rod played really good in the second half in all three areas, offense, defense and transition," Edgar said.

Four more Southeast players scored in double figures as the Redhawks reached their highest point total of the season.

Senior forward Brandon Foust scored 12 points.

Senior swingman David Johnson, freshman center Will Bogan and sophomore forward Calvin Williams all added 10 points.

Williams grabbed a game-high nine rebounds as Southeast won the battle of the boards for the first time this season, although just barely (33-32).

"It's always good to win, and at home," said Johnson, who hit three of five 3-pointers. "In the second half we got a couple loose balls that we weren't getting in the first half."

Southeast never led by more than six points in the first half and found itself tied 32-32 at the intermission.

Culver-Stockton grabbed its biggest lead of the game, 45-41, early in the second half.

The Redhawks trailed 52-50 with just under nine minutes left when they finally came up with the spurt that put them ahead to stay, although never very comfortably.

Rhodes scored inside for a 52-52 tie, then Rhodes stole the ball and drove for a three-point play to put Southeast ahead to stay 55-52.

After a turnover, Pearson's three-point play made it 58-52 and Bogan's layup off a Rhodes assist put Southeast up 60-52 with just under eight minutes left.

The Wildcats never went away, several times closing within four points, but Pearson hit four late free throws to help Southeast hold on.

Southeast shot a season-best 50 percent (28-of-56) and also shot well from the free-throw line (25-of-34, 73.5 percent).

Culver-Stockton, which made nine of 17 3-pointers, was led by senior guard Jordan Harris with 21 points.

No, it wasn't pretty or impressive -- but Edgar was not about to complain.

"I always enjoy wins," he said. "That's the No. 1 goal, come in and get a victory."

Southeast hosts Evansville Tuesday night.