Redhawks conclude exhibition schedule tonight

~ Southeast will host Division II Ouachita Baptist

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team closes out its two-game exhibition schedule tonight against Division II Ouachita Baptist.

After today, the games begin to count as Southeast opens its season Saturday at Saint Louis University.

"We just want to try to keep getting better," first-year Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said of the objective for the exhibition finale.

Southeast held off NAIA Harris-Stowe 75-67 in Thursday's exhibition opener.

"It was nice to win, but it's back to the drawing board," said returning senior center Israel Kirk, who pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. "We have a lot of work to do."

Nutt knows that all too well. Immediately following Thursday's contest, he was eager to review the film and get back to practice.

"It gave us a test to review, to learn from our mistakes," Nutt said.

Ten players saw action for Southeast on Thursday, but Nutt hopes that total increases tonight.

Returning senior forward LaMont Russell and returning senior wing Johnny Hill did not play against Harris-Stowe due to lingering injuries. The same goes for freshman point guard Lucas Nutt, the coach's son. Only Nutt definitely will not play tonight.

Junior college transfer forward Rae-Vonn Banks also did not play Thursday as he still is waiting to have his eligibility cleared by the NCAA.

Four players scored in double figures for Southeast against Harris-Stowe, led by freshman guard Derek Thompson with a game-high 17 points. He came off the bench to hit 5 of 10 3-pointers.

Ouachita Baptist, a Division II squad from Arkadelphia, Ark., went 13-14 last season. The Tigers were 3-11 in the Gulf South Conference, which tied for last place in the GSC's eight-team West Division.

The Tigers, picked to finish last in the GSC West, lost their top eight scorers from a year ago. They have a Division I transfer in sophomore guard Reggie Britton, who went scoreless while playing six games for Wichita State last season.

Ouachita Baptist lost its first exhibition game, 82-59 at Arkansas State on Monday night.