SE HATCHETS READY FOR MIGHTY OAKS; INDIANS HOPE TO BUILD OFF BIG VICTORY

Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner is hoping his team's intensity that went along with playing a big-name opponent like Bradley won't drop too much against lesser-known Oakland City.

The 2-1 Indians will face the 3-2 Mighty Oaks from Indiana in a 7:30 tipoff tonight at the Show Me Center.

"We have to guard against a letdown. That's the big thing that concerns you," said Garner. "We just have to be prepared to play and I think we will be."

Southeast is coming off an impressive 79-71 win over Bradley Wednesday night in a highly-anticipated game that drew 5,193 fans to the Show Me Center.

"That was a huge win for us," said Garner. "The guys did a great job. They played so hard and the intensity level was extremely high. Hopefully we can build on that game."

Now the Indians must turn their attentions to the Mighty Oaks, who have a solid Division II program under veteran coach Mike Sandifar. Oakland City went 21-9 last season, including an 87-57 loss to Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

"They're a good Division II basketball team," said Garner. "We can't take them lightly because they'll bring some good players in here."

Garner likens tonight's situation for the Indians to their second game of the season, against Central Methodist, a strong NAIA team.

In that game, Central Methodist held a 48-44 halftime lead but the Indians rolled in the second half to post a 94-78 victory.

"It's really about the same situation," Garner said. "Just like Central Methodist, this is going to be the biggest game on Oakland City's schedule. They'll come in here with nothing to lose. They're going to play hard and they'll play well. We have to be ready for it."

The Mighty Oaks are led by 6-foot-8 senior center Stuart Love, who is averaging 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Todd Woelfle, a 6-1 senior guard, contributes 11.8 points per contest.

Following tonight's game, the Indians will begin to set their sights on the start of the Ohio Valley Conference season.

In years past, OVC play has not tipped off until January. But this season the league has scheduled games for December. Southeast will have two OVC contests prior to the new year, both at home, playing Tennessee State on Dec. 4 and Austin Peay on Dec. 6.

Tennessee State and Austin Peay have been picked to finish second and third, respectively, in the 10-team league, so the Indians -- selected sixth in the preseason poll -- will get an early indication of where they stand.

"With the start of league play just around the corner, it's important we go into that with some momentum," said Garner. "We need a good game against Oakland City to get ready for the conference."

Garner entered Wednesday's Bradley game figuring how his team performed would give a pretty good indication of how it would stack up with some of the better OVC teams. He certainly liked what he saw.

"I said all week that game would be a real good indicator," Garner said. "If we could play with Bradley, not necessarily beat them, but if we could play with them, then we could play in the OVC.

"We showed that we can play with good basketball teams. Bradley is an excellent team."

Oakland City at SEMO

7:30 p.m., Show Me Center

Probable Starters

SEMO (2-1)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Calvert White F Sr. 6-4 10.0

David Montgomery F Jr. 6-8 11.0

Bud Eley C Sr. 6-10 17.7

Cory Johnson G Jr. 6-0 16.0

Kahn Cotton G Jr. 5-10 6.7

OCU (3-2)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Jason Brickman F Sr. 6-6 2.0

Kyle Lindsey F Jr. 6-4 9.0

Stuart Love C Sr. 6-8 15.5

Todd Woelfle G Sr. 6-1 11.8

Rucci Blanton G Jr. 5-10 6.0

Series: SEMO leads 13-0

Radio: K103-FM