Southeast men's basketball team debuts with exhibition win over Missouri Baptist

Members of the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team might have been a little anxious to get back out on the Show Me Center floor to face NAIA opponent Missouri Baptist in an exhibition game on Monday night.

Once any sort of nerves settled for the Redhawks they were able to cruise to a 97-69 victory over the visiting Spartans.

"There were a lot of nerves out there, but that's exactly what an exhibition game is for -- just trying to get some guys out there to play when the lights are on and with our crowd and everything like that," Southeast coach Dickey Nutt said. "But I was proud. I thought we had some good efforts."

Southeast trailed only once at 7-5, three and a half minutes into the game.

The Redhawks moved ahead for good, 9-7, on a layup by Josh Langford just over a minute later.

Once the Redhawks took a 34-24 lead with 6 minutes, 12 seconds remaining in the first half on a free throw by junior transfer Isiah Jones, their lead was never in single digits again.

Nutt thought his team's full-court pressure, which they implemented most of the game, wore the Spartans out in the closing minutes of the first half and allowed the Redhawks to create some separation on the scoreboard.

Southeast led 53-37 at the half. The Redhawks shot 60 percent from the field in the first half and made 5 of 10 3-point attempts.

Nutt thought that once his players settled down they were able to play better defensively. MBU shot 42.9 percent (24 of 56) in the game.

"Our guys, sometimes, regardless of how you look at that, sometimes when you bring in a non-Division I team it's always the same thing what they're thinking," Nutt said. "I mean, I was once a player, too, and I'm sure they were thinking all day long, 'Shoot, run, holler and follow.' But the point is that everybody can play. Missouri Baptist is a good team. They're well-coached and they make you play defense. Trust me, we're going to play a lot tougher teams than that. But I thought that once we settled down and stopped jumping around for everything, and getting ready to run downhill on offense, I thought we settled down and we made some better stops."

The Redhawks opened the second half with a 3-pointer from Isiah Jones, who finished with 12 points and four rebounds, that sparked an 18-7 run to take a 27-point lead in the first 5:05.

Southeast Missouri State's Josh Langford dunks against Missouri Baptist during the second half Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

Southeast took it's largest lead with 8:14 remaining in the game on a layup by Sikeston native and freshman guard JT Jones that made it 84-51. JT Jones finished the game with 14 points, six rebounds and two steals in 11 minutes off the bench.

"I thought JT Jones came in and he was a spark, and he just finds a way. He finds a way," Nutt said. "Every day he comes to practice with his hard hat on and he just gets things done *... 14 points and six rebounds -- that's productivity, and that's what we're looking for. He's going to try to find his way out there on the floor."

Several newcomers made their Southeast debut in the game.

Junior transfer guard JJ Thompson started after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Thompson finished with six points and three assists in 19 minutes, and Nutt likened him to how Langford was last year. Nutt was much more impressed with the senior forward Langford's 17-point, four rebound performance Monday.

"If you look at him now, he's in much better condition, he didn't foul out of the game, he was explosive, he was our high-point guy," Nutt said. "He did some good things."

Senior forward Nino Johnson finished with 13 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

"If he plays with that kind of passion every night, we have a chance to be a competitive team," Nutt said. "Obviously, the jury is still out on that. I tell him every day that consistency is what I'm looking for. I'm looking for you to do it every day. *... Since he's turned into a senior he's certainly been leading this basketball team."

Sophomore guard Antonius Cleveland scored 13 points -- all in the first half -- on 5-of-5 shooting. He was pleased with how the younger players stepped up in their first game at Southeast.

Southeast Missouri State coach Dickey Nutt talks to Nino Johnson during a timeout in the second half against Missouri Baptist on Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 at the Show Me Center. (Fred Lynch)

"I love just watching the freshmen come in and do good because about five or six months ago I was in their shoes," Cleveland said. "It was really nice to see JT get in the game and perform like that along with Marcus [Wallace] and Ladarius [Coleman] and TJ [Thomas]. It's exciting when from the first guy on the bench to the last guy on the bench gets in and produces. It's great for the team."

Southeast was without its returning leading scorer, senior Jarekious Bradley, who did not dress out for the game due to a deep thigh bruise. Senior guard Darrian Gray was out with a severe ankle sprain. Senior transfer forward Aaron Adeoye did not play after suffering several fractures in his cheek after being elbowed in what Nutt called a "freak accident" going after a loose ball during practice Sunday. Nutt said they're unsure of the severity at this point and will wait until the swelling subsides to know more.

The Redhawks play their second exhibition Saturday night. They host Fontbonne at 6 p.m. at the Show Me Center.

"I'm excited about our team," Nutt said. "Rusty? Sure. No question about that. But this is just exactly what we needed to get on tape, so we can learn from this and hopefully improve every night out and hopefully we'll be better on Saturday."