Seniors set for final homestand

Damarcus Hence has been up and down during his five years at Southeast Missouri State University.

Brandon Griffin has been mostly up during his two years at Southeast, although he is currently down with an ankle injury.

Hence and Griffin, the only Southeast seniors, will have their final two home games this week, beginning tonight when the Indians (10-13, 3-9 Ohio Valley Conference) face Eastern Kentucky (11-12, 6-6) in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at the Show Me Center.

"We only have two seniors, but they've both done a lot for us," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "You always want to see your seniors go out with some success, so hopefully we can do well this week."

Hence hangs toughHence, from Memphis, Tenn., has been something of an enigma during his time with the Indians, which includes a redshirt season to begin his college career.

The 6-foot-6 forward has been one of Southeast's most athletic players -- his three monster follow dunks in a span of just a few minutes during Saturday's loss at Tennessee State are a testament to that -- but for various reasons his production and time on the floor have never quite matched that natural ability.

"Damarcus has had an up and down career," acknowledged Garner. "But he's always stayed positive, even when he hasn't played. You have to give him a lot of credit for that."

Said Hence: "It's been kind of rocky, but you always got to stay positive. Good things happen to those who wait."

Added a laughing Hence, "I'm still waiting."

Then, turning more serious, he said, "I still think I could have done more, but overall I'm pretty happy I came here. I think liking all my teammates really helped. We all really get along."

Hence has certainly had his moments at Southeast, like when he averaged 10.5 points per game last year, including a career-high 25 points against Missouri-Kansas City.

And, despite being in and out of the lineup this season, Hence has had some strong performances, including Saturday's explosive effort at Tennessee State that featured 14 first-half points. He is averaging 7.1 points while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 92.6 percent from the free-throw line.

"Damarcus has had some very good games for us and we're hoping he can still help us a lot this year," Garner said.

Hence, who is majoring in university studies and would like to become a high school coach, lists as perhaps his career highlight being a part of the Indians' 1999-2000 NCAA Tournament team, although as a redshirt he could not play in games and did not travel to Utah for the Indians' near-upset of LSU.

"That was real exciting, and I got to get a ring out of it," he said.

Griffin a big surpriseAs a sophomore at Southwest Mississippi Junior College, Griffin received exactly one Division I scholarship offer -- from Southeast, whose coaches thought he could add some rebounding and defensive punch.

Little did Garner realize that the rugged 6-8, 230-pound center would wind up as one of the Indians' most valuable players over the past two seasons.

Last year, Griffin averaged a rare double-double with 11.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He ranked 12th nationally in rebounding while setting a Southeast single-season record and was runner-up for OVC newcomer of the year.

This season, Griffin is averaging 12.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 57.6 percent from the field. He leads the Indians in rebounding and assists while ranking fifth and 10th in the OVC.

"Brandon has had a tremendous two years for us," Garner said. "I never dreamed he'd be able to score the way he has. We basically recruited him to rebound, but he's done so much more than that."

Even Griffin, a native of Greensburg, La., admits his Southeast career has gone better than he ever envisioned.

"I really think I did a lot better than what I thought I could. I thought I'd be more of a role player," he said. "In junior college, I got recruited by a bunch of Division II schools but SEMO was the only Division I school.

"I've surprised myself. As a kid, all you hear about is D-I. I'm proud I've done this well."

Griffin, who is majoring in mass communications -- "I want to open up my own recording studio. Music is my passion" -- has few regrets about his Southeast career, other than perhaps the severely sprained ankle he suffered Saturday at Tennessee State that will force him to miss this week's final two home games.

But Griffin hopes to return next week as Southeast finishes the regular season with two road games. And he is still hopeful the Indians can close strong, qualify for the OVC Tournament -- they're tied for ninth place, with only the top eight teams making it -- and then surprise the conference.

"I know we didn't come out on top like people expected, but I think if we get in the tournament, we can beat any team," he said.