SEMO FIXES FLAT, ROLLS TO 'W'; INDIANS POST 84-65 WIN OVER C. METHODIST

For the second straight season, the Central Methodist College basketball team gave Southeast Missouri State University plenty of problems early.

But, for the second year in a row, the Indians were able to eventually take control and win going away.

After trailing by as many seven points in the first half, the Indians bolted to a 40-29 halftime lead and then pulled away in the second half to post an 84-65 victory Friday night in front of 4,327 fans at the Show Me Center.

Southeast, tuning up for Monday's big home game with highly-regarded Louisiana Tech, improved to 2-1. Central Methodist, an NAIA squad that won 26 games last season, fell to 4-3.

Despite the fairly routine victory, Southeast coach Gary Garner was not very pleased with his team's play -- not that he expected the Indians to be all that sharp.

"We played very sloppy and without much intensity. We started the game without much intensity," said Garner. "But, in all fairness to the players, we played Bradley Tuesday night (a two-point loss) and we have Louisiana Tech Monday.

"With this game sandwiched in between, we were probably looking ahead. As a coach, it's my job to get us not to do that, but it's only human nature."

Bud Eley led the Indians offensively with 17 points. He also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds and blocked four shots.

Roderick Johnson, Mike Branson and Cory Johnson all scored 14 points. C. Johnson, who has been struggling with his shooting so far this season, hit four of nine 3-pointers -- including three of six in the second half. Branson hit three of six 3-pointers.

"I've been struggling, but hopefully this will get me going," said C. Johnson. "We didn't come out with any enthusiasm tonight. It's hard not to look past a game like this. But Central Methodist has a good team and they played well."

Brian Bunche came off the bench to score eight points and grab 10 rebounds as the Indians dominated the boards by a 54 to 29 count.

"I'm pleased in a lot of ways with how we played, but I'm very upset with the rebounding," said Central Methodist coach Jeff Sherman. "That should be one of our strong points. But it was kind of like men vs. boys tonight."

The rebounding aside, Sherman was happy by the battle the Eagles gave the Indians.

"I think for us to play these guys to around 20 points, I'm pleased with that, because I think they have a very good team," Sherman said.

Eagles' sweet-shooting guard Matt Clutter led all scorers with 27 points as he hit five of nine 3-pointers and 11 of 18 field goals overall. Ryan Robertson had 13 points while Jason Berendes added 11.

With Clutter throwing in 19 first-half points, the Eagles -- much like they did in last year's game, when they led by four points at halftime before losing by 16 -- took it to the Indians early.

Although Southeast scored the first five points, the Eagles ultimately opened up a 21-14 lead midway through the first half on Clutter's 3-pointer.

Southeast didn't take the lead for good until freshman guard Fred Abraham drove for a layup to make it 25-23 4:47 before halftime.

Abraham was a spark for the Indians off the bench in the first half, scoring six points and also dishing off a nice assist to Branson, who scored a layup at the halftime buzzer to put Southeast ahead 40-29 at the break.

"Fred was really a bright spot for us," said Garner. "I thought he played the best of anybody. He really showed signs of maturing."

Branson hit three early 3-pointers in the second half and Johnson nailed a trey as the Indians quickly began to pull away. Johnson hit two more 3-pointers, including one that made it 60-38 less than six minutes into the final half.

Southeast's biggest lead was 26 points before the Eagles were able to make it a bit more respectable late.

Now the Indians will prepare for a huge challenge as Louisiana Tech plays at the Show Me Center Monday night. The Bulldogs have already beaten Baylor on the road and are regarded as one of the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference. They feature 6-foot-5 guard Lonnie Cooper, expected to be a first-round NBA draft choice.

"They might be the best team to play at the Show Me Center this year and they're probably one of the best teams to ever play here," Garner said. "We'll have to play extremely well just to have a chance to be in the game."