Southeast men's basketball team builds big lead, holds on to win

The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team ended its two-game exhibition schedule with a win, as expected.

But the Redhawks had to sweat just a bit Saturday night after they squandered most of a 24-point second-half lead.

Southeast wound up holding off a solid Division II Ouachita Baptist squad 88-75 in front of an announced Show Me Center crowd of 1,210 -- but the Redhawks figured they learned a lesson.

Namely, to keep their foot on an opponent's throat all the way.

"It's something we have to work on, getting comfortable when we're up," senior forward Tyler Stone said. "Just staying focused, stepping on people's throats.

"But the main thing is we got the win."

Southeast coach Dickey Nutt knew the Redhawks would receive a much stiffer test than during their exhibition opener, Tuesday's 115-45 destruction of totally overmatched NAIA opponent Hannibal-LaGrange.

That was certainly the case as the Tigers from Arkadelphia, Ark. -- who are coached by Nutt's brother Dennis -- cut the 24-point deficit to five points twice, the second time with just over six minutes remaining.

"Give them great credit. They're going to be good in their league," Dickey Nutt said. "We got up 24 points and got happy all of a sudden.

"But I was really glad some adversity hit us tonight. We had some foul trouble. ... I thought our guys kept their composure. At the end of the day we're glad to win."

The Tigers were still hanging around, trailing just 78-70, when Southeast delivered the knockout blow.

Stone, the Ohio Valley Conference preseason player of the year, drained two straight mid-range jumpers.

Then freshman guard Antonius Cleveland, who continues to impress, stole a ball along the sideline and cruised in for a dunk that made it 84-70 with 3 minutes, 44 seconds left to effectively end the Tigers' upset hopes.

"I think that got the team going down the stretch," said the 6-foot-5 Cleveland.

Stone poured in 30 points. He hit 11 of 17 field-goal attempts, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, and made all six of his free throws while adding three steals.

"Tyler played well. He hit two really big shots late in the game," Nutt said.

Four other Southeast players scored in double figures.

Cleveland, who started both exhibition games, had 12 points on 4 of 5 from the field. He also grabbed five rebounds, second-most on the squad, and his two blocks tied junior center Nino Johnson for the team lead.

"He's playing good. I've really been pleased with him," Nutt said of Cleveland.

Cleveland -- who lamented his making only 4 of 9 free throws, as did Nutt -- said he's trying to learn as much as possible about college basketball as quickly as possible.

"Just trying to get a feel for the game," Cleveland said.

Johnson had 10 points, three assists, two blocks and two steals.

"I thought Nino played well," Nutt said.

Senior guard A.J. Jones scored 10 points before fouling out.

Senior point guard Lucas Nutt had 10 points and six assists.

Junior college transfer guard/forward Jarekious Bradley, who led the Redhawks with 25 points against Hannibal-LaGrange, had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds before fouling out.

Freshman guard Jamaal Calvin had his second straight solid performance with six points, three assists and two steals.

"I'm really pleased with [Calvin]," Nutt said.

There were six early lead changes and four ties, the last at 13-13. Southeast then scored 18 straight points to go ahead 31-13.

It was 46-32 at halftime and 59-35 early in the second half before the Tigers roared back.

Southeast shot 55.6 percent but allowed the Tigers to shoot 46.2 percent. The Redhawks were outrebounded 35-29 but forced 26 turnovers while committing 17.

"It was a great test for us. We just got to do a better job of closing out," Johnson said.

Junior forward Colt Fason had 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Tigers.

Southeast opens the season Friday at highly regarded Saint Louis University.