Tribe holds off Phoenix in opener

If the rest of Southeast Missouri State University's home basketball schedule is anything like Friday night's season opener, then Indians fans should be in for some kind of treat.

The retooled Indians -- featuring five returning starters but also five key newcomers -- survived a frantic finish with Wisconsin-Green Bay to post a 63-62 victory in front of 4,132 fans at the Show Me Center.

"That was a war, real exciting," junior forward Dainmon Gonner said.

Southeast trailed only briefly in the opening moments and led by 11 points midway through the second half but had to hold on at the end.

"It was a heck of a game," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "Wisconsin-Green Bay is a good team, not a great team, but they're solid.

"We won ugly, which I knew we'd have to do. Offensively, we didn't have good execution. But we had a great effort."

Gonner, the Indians' most heralded new player, led the way with 14 points and five rebounds as he was the Copi-Rite player of the game.

Guard Derek Winans, the Indians' leading scorer the last two seasons, had 10 points, as did senior center Brandon Griffin. Griffin did his damage despite playing just 19 minutes because of foul trouble.

Another of Southeast's newcomers -- freshman guard Terrick Willoughby -- came up big in his collegiate debut.

Willoughby, who wasn't even recruited as a point guard, started at that position Friday. He scored 11 points -- hitting three of five 3-pointers -- and had three assists.

"Terrick is going to be a heck of player, but he looked ahead of schedule tonight," Garner said. "He showed a lot of poise."

Said Willoughby, "I felt good out there, but I'm just learning the system. I have a great supporting cast, which helps."

The Indians also got a lift from returning junior center Adam Crader after Griffin got into early foul trouble. Crader hit three of five shots and scored six points before fouling out.

"Adam gave us a tremendous lift," Garner said. "Without him, we don't win this game."

Southeast also got contributions from three more first-year players: junior guard Norman Prather (five points), junior guard Mike Nelke (four points, three assists) and junior forward Reggie Golson (three points, five rebounds), who has been injured and played more than anticipated.

Mike King paced the Phoenix with 14 points and Terry Parker had 12.

The Indians led 34-29 at halftime and 48-37 with just over 13 minutes remaining. But the Phoenix would not go away.

After the Phoenix pulled into a 53-53 tie, Willoughby gave the Indians the lead for good on a 3-pointer with 7:40 remaining.

Still, things were far from over. The Phoenix cut a late 63-57 deficit to 63-62 and had possession with under 20 seconds left. But Southeast forced a jump ball with three seconds left, the possession arrow pointed the Indians' way -- and they were able to hold on.