SE's JOHNSON MAKES ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

MISSOULA, Mont. -- Roderick Johnson played well enough over the weekend to make the six-player all-tournament team at the KGVO Coca-Cola Classic.

But Southeast Missouri State University's senior forward still couldn't get over how much he struggled from the free-throw line during the Indians' two games.

Johnson hit just six of 15 foul shots, including a one-for-six performance during Friday night's 60-48 loss to tournament host Montana.

"I can't believe how bad I shot free throws," said Johnson. "I don't know what was wrong with me. But I'm going to get my average back up." Johnson entered the tournament shooting nearly 71 percent from the line for the season, but that average took a serious hit over the weekend.

Still, Johnson had an impressive showing as he helped the Indians bounce back from their first loss of the season with a 55-44 win over Robert Morris in Saturday night's third-place game.

Johnson scored a team-high 15 points in each tourney game -- hitting 12 of 19 shots from the field -- and he was all over the boards, grabbing a total of 25 rebounds, including 15 against Robert Morris.

"Roderick really played hard the whole weekend," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "He really battled." Johnson, like Garner and all the Indians, was disappointed that Southeast failed to make it to the championship game.

But Johnson said it was good to be able to bounce back Saturday and improve to 6-1 on the season.

"Third-place games are hard to play, but a win is a win," Johnson said. "Any time we go out on the court, we want to win." Added Garner, "I really wanted us to be playing in the championship game. You get in a game like that, and that's something you can draw on later in the season (in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament).

"But I was proud of the way we bounced back (Saturday). I guess 6-1 is not too bad. There are a lot of teams in the country that would love to be 6-1."

* Idaho and Montana -- who met in the finals -- both had two players on the all-tournament team.

Idaho center Kaniel Dickens was named tourney MVP after scoring 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to lead the Vandals past Montana 72-71 in a thrilling championship game.

Dickens' conventional three-point play after an offensive rebound in the late going accounted for the margin of victory.

Forward Devon Ford also made the all-tourney squad from Idaho while Montana representatives were center Matt Williams and guard Shane Christianson.

Rounding out the squad was Robert Morris guard Gene Nabors.

* Southeast junior walk-on guard Matt Morris was naturally elated as he made his first career start during Saturday's game against Robert Morris.

Morris hit two 3-pointers -- both in the first half -- and his shot at the halftime buzzer boosted the Indians into a 31-26 lead at the break.

"It was pretty exciting for me," said Morris.

* The Indians have received some good news regarding injured shooting guard Antonio Short, who averaged 11 points in the first two games of the season.

Short will have the cast removed from his broken right wrist Dec. 20 and should return to practice prior to Christmas.

Garner is hoping that Short, who injured his wrist in the second game of the season, will be able to return to game action Jan. 2 against Southern Illinois.

"It seems like Antonio is coming along really well," Garner said. "That's good news because we miss him."

Southeast's roster will also be bolstered Saturday when sophomore guard Fred Abraham is scheduled to return to action as the Indians host Arkansas State.

Abraham was academically ineligible for the first semester.

"Fred will give us some more depth," said Garner. "We won't have to play (point guard) Michael Stokes so many minutes."