SOUTHEAST FINDS EKU COLONELS IN FULL RETREAT

RICHMOND, Ky. -- For whatever reasons, Eastern Kentucky's basketball team has had a horrendous season and the Colonels will almost certainly finish last in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Southeast Missouri State University's Indians hope to keep the Colonels in their season-long funk tonight when the squads square off in a 7:45 tipoff at McBrayer Arena.

"It's a game we should win, but it's also one we can't afford to overlook," cautioned Southeast coach Gary Garner.

If ever Garner needed to come up with some psychological warfare to motivate the Indians, tonight would seem to be that time.

After all, the Colonels have won just three games all season -- while losing 20 times. In OVC play, EKU is 2-13 and in last place in the 10-team league. The Colonels trail ninth-place Tennessee-Martin by two games heading into the final week of the regular season.

Southeast, 16-8 overall, is 13-3 in OVC play and has locked up second place. The Indians are still mathematically alive to tie for the regular-season OVC title, but first-place Murray State (15-1) would have to lose its last two games while Southeast wins its final two contests.

Regardless of that scenario, the Indians are assured of entering the OVC Tournament as the No. 2 seed because they have lost both meetings against the Racers.

The Indians will host a first-round OVC tourney game next Tuesday night, although the opponent probably won't be determined until Saturday night -- the final date of the regular season.

"I'm pretty sure we won't know who we're going to play (in the OVC tourney) until after all the games are finished Saturday night," Garner said. "We just want to try and go into the tournament with as much momentum as possible."

Meaning a three-game winning streak. Southeast broke a two-game losing skid Saturday by winning at Tennessee-Martin. The Indians will be favored tonight and Saturday night at home against Eastern Illinois.

"We just have to do what we've been doing all season long and take it one game at a time," said Garner.

Despite EKU's struggles this season, Garner actually thought the Colonels might be one of the real sleeper teams in the league.

"I really thought they would be one of the teams that did a lot better than they were predicted," he said. "But they've lost some players they were counting on and things just haven't worked out for them."

The Colonels suffered a real blow when transfer Charles Thomas, the sixth man on Minnesota's Final Four team two years ago, never played in a game because of an injury that ultimately forced him to end his playing career.

Then Ronnie Griffin, one of the team's top players, left the squad several weeks ago.

EKU ranks last in the OVC in most major team categories, including points allowed (81.1 per game), defensive field-goal percentage (48.9 percent) and offensive field-goal percentage (39.4 percent).

The Colonels are ninth in scoring (65.1 points per game).

"They've definitely struggled, but it's a game that scares you," Garner said. "Tennessee-Martin is ninth in the league and they beat Murray State the other night. So anything can happen."

Whitney Robinson, a 5-foot-11 freshman guard, leads the Colonels offensively with an average of 17.5 points per game.

Also scoring in double figures for EKU are 6-2 sophomore guard Darius Acuff (12.1 ppg) and 6-8 junior center Darick Mattox (10.9 ppg).

The Indians lead the OVC in scoring defense (62.9 points per game) and field-goal percentage defense (40.1 percent).

"Our defense has been really good all year," Garner said.

Southeast gets double-figure scoring from four players: senior center Bud Eley (15 ppg), junior forward Roderick Johnson (12.3 ppg), senior guard Cory Johnson (10.8 ppg) and junior forward Mike Branson (10.2 ppg).

Eley leads the OVC in field-goal shooting at 61 percent, rebounding with 10.3 per game and blocked shots with 2.7 per contest.

R. Johnson, third in the OVC in field-goal shooting at 55 percent, has averaged 18 points over his last three games to lead the squad.

* Southeast assistant coach Anthony Beane did not make the trip with the Indians. His father, who had been ill for a while, passed away Sunday.

"Our hearts certainly go out to Anthony," said Garner.

SEMO at Eastern Kentucky

7:45 p.m., McBrayer Arena, Richmond, Ky.

Probable Starters

SEMO (16-8, 13-3 OVC)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Mike Branson F Jr. 6-6 10.2

Roderick Johnson F Jr. 6-7 12.3

Bud Eley C Sr. 6-10 15.0

Cory Johnson G Sr. 6-0 10.8

Kahn Cotton G Sr. 5-10 7.5

Eastern Kentucky (3-20, 2-13 OVC)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Ibrahim Myles F Sr. 6-7 6.5

Warren Stukes F Sr. 6-6 4.1

Darick Mattox C Jr. 6-8 10.9

Darius Acuff G So. 6-2 12.1

Whitney Robinson G Fr. 5-11 17.5

Series: EKU leads 9-6

Last Meeting: SEMO won 78-58 on Dec. 10

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