Redhawks' slow start yields to hot streak

~ After a six-game losing streak, the Redhawks have won three straight OVC games in convincing fashion.

First-year Southeast Missouri State coach Scott Edgar insists he never lost faith in the Redhawks, even as they were stumbling through the first part of the season and then suffering some excruciating losses.

Edgar's faith has been rewarded with three consecutive dominating wins -- all in Ohio Valley Conference play -- capped by Monday night's 96-85 victory at Murray State.

"I have to [have faith]. I'm the leader. ... If I had put my head down and given up ... it's something I'll never do," Edgar said Tuesday. "I said I was disappointed [earlier in the season], but never was I discouraged.

"I knew these guys were working hard, I knew these guys were getting better. But the bottom line, you're judged on wins and losses."

The Redhawks were routinely getting blown out early in the season. They started improving but suffered three OVC losses by seven points, including two on shots at the buzzer.

An overall six-game losing streak, which included four straight conference defeats, had the Redhawks reeling at the bottom of the league standings.

But Edgar believes Southeast began to turn the corner during a two-game road trip that started with a 102-65 loss at Purdue on Dec. 30.

"We were on the road together and I really saw a group of guys coming together and being great teammates," Edgar said. "When you become a great teammate, you'll become a better player."

After Purdue, Southeast resumed OVC play on Jan. 2 at Eastern Kentucky. The Redhawks trailed by nine points at halftime and by 11 points early in the second half -- before exploding for an 88-74 victory.

The Redhawks (6-11, 4-4 OVC) have been rolling ever since, beating Eastern Illinois 80-65 at home Thursday night and then knocking off Murray State by 11 points.

"We came out of the locker room [at Eastern Kentucky] and made a statement. We've been making a statement ever since," Edgar said. "We're playing with a lot of confidence. So much of this game is confidence.

"I want my teams to play with swagger, and we're starting to do that."

Edgar said all along it would take some time for the Redhawks to adjust to his "Fast and Furious" style, which he believes some people have misunderstood.

"The style we brought here is not run and gun, like people think," he said. "It's not always about stealing the ball and putting up the first shot.

"It's built on designed defensive pressure to make people work getting the ball down the floor and hopefully tire them out in the second half.

"It's working the ball around on offense, getting more people down the floor, sharing the basketball, getting better shots."

Southeast reached a season-high point total against Eastern Kentucky and topped it against Murray State.

The Redhawks are 4-0 when scoring at least 80 points, with three of those games coming in the past week. The Redhawks are averaging 78 points per conference game, which leads the league.

After struggling so much with their shooting and defense through the early part of the season, Southeast has improved greatly in both areas, particularly during the second halves of games.

Hot second halves

In their last three games, the Redhawks have shot 59.3 percent, 56 percent and 52 percent in the second halves.

The Redhawks have made at least 10 3-pointers in all three games, and they are shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc (35 of 70) during that period.

Southeast leads the OVC in 3-pointers made during conference play with 73.

Defensively, the Redhawks have held their last three opponents to 40 percent or below field-goal shooting in the last three second halves.

"I think the way we play is having an effect on teams in the second half," Edgar said.

Junior forward Brandon Foust had the best game of his Southeast career with 23 points and nine rebounds against Murray State.

Junior swingman David Johnson continued to shine. He had 18 points, five assists and four blocked shots. The 6-foot-4 Johnson has four blocks in each of the past two games.

Johnson leads Southeast in scoring during OVC play at 13.5 points per game. In conference games, Johnson is fourth in the league in steals, fifth in blocks and sixth in 3-pointers made.

"David had a great, great effort [at Murray State]. He's really playing well. And Brandon played great," Edgar said. "There were a lot of superlatives."

Even though the Redhawks have gotten on a roll, Edgar believes they have only scratched the surface.

"We're continuing to grow, but we have not hit the ceiling yet," he said. "There is still plenty of time to grow.

"But I think we're starting to excite Southeast Missouri. I told the guys that it might not be too long before we're playing in front of 5,000 people in the Show Me Center."

The Redhawks will try to keep their winning streak going Saturday night at Austin Peay, where they have not won since the 1998-99 season, a span of eight games.

A victory there and Edgar could be poised for a new hairstyle.

"I made a deal with my players that if they win five straight, they get to shave my head," Edgar said. "It won't be easy, but if we can get two more ... I'm ready for it."