COLLEGE BASKETBALL: INDIANS SHAKE PESKY BULLDOGS

Maybe Emmanuel McCuthison should get hurt more often.

Just last Saturday night, Southeast Missouri State University's senior forward/guard lay writhing in pain at the Show Me Center after suffering a dislocated shoulder during the Indians' final exhibition game.

As of the middle of this week, it was doubtful that McCuthison would start Friday night's season opener against Truman State. Southeast coach Gary Garner was hopeful of simply getting McCuthison a little playing time.

But there McCuthison was in the starting lineup when Southeast took the floor Friday. And he ended up being the team's leading scorer as the Indians used a second-half run to pull away from the pesky Division II Bulldogs 70-59 in front of 5,221 fans at the Show Me Center.

McCuthison scored 17 points as he hit seven of 11 shots from the field, including three of five 3-pointers. The 6-foot-4 McCuthison, who also had five rebounds and three steals, pumped in eight of the Indians' first 12 points as they started strong and were never seriously threatened.

"The shoulder's all right," said McCuthison following the game. "It's a little sore, as would be expected."

Asked if he was worried when the shoulder popped out last Saturday -- it also happened to him several times last season -- McCuthison said, "My biggest worry is it took so long getting it back in (at a local hospital). The other times, it went right back in."

Said Garner with a grin, "Maybe Emmanuel should dislocate his other shoulder. He played well."

So did sophomore Drew DeMond, in his first season as the Indians' starter at power forward after being a defensive specialist off the bench last year.

Displaying a nice jump hook from in close to the basket, DeMond hit five of eight shots and scored 12 points. He also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and blocked four shots, which are two things Garner is counting on him to do. Solid scoring would be a bonus.

"Drew has been making that (jump hook) in practice, not just tonight," Garner said. "He's worked hard on that shot. He has a tremendous knack for blocking shots and he's rebounding well. If he scores, that will really help us."

Said DeMond, "Coach wants me to work on the jump hook because I don't get my jump shot high enough. The jump hook is just as good. I've been hitting it in practice and I worked on it a lot over the summer."

No other Indian scored in double figures as all 10 players who were in uniform saw at least six minutes of action and nine of them played at least 11 minutes.

Michael Stokes and junior-college transfer Monte Gordon both scored eight points, Amory Sanders had seven points to go with a team-high five assists and Nyah Jones and freshman Joel Shelton each added six points.

Gordon, who has been bothered with a variety of ailments during the preseason, got all eight of his points in the second half as he continues to round into form. Shelton, continuing to impress as Stokes' backup at point guard, had five second-half points.

"Monte is not really in shape yet (because of the various setbacks), but he's a good player," said Garner. "Joel plays with tremendous poise for a freshman."

The Indians were unexpectedly shorthanded for the opener. Backup center Terry Rogers became ill late in the week with bronchitis and reserve guard Matt Morris has mononucleosis. While Rogers should return for practice Monday, the status of Morris is less certain.

"With mono, you never know. He could be out a week or it might be months," said Garner, whose squad also played without starting guard Antonio Short as he completed a three-game suspension for violating unspecified team rules.

Brian Brown led Truman State with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Cape Girardeau Central High School product Nathan Owen, who played two seasons at Southeast before transferring, added 10 points for the Bulldogs, as did Scott Coykendall.

Owen missed most of the preseason with a broken hand and only recently returned to practice. He was not supposed to start Friday but felt good enough to go.

"I didn't want to miss it," he said. "It felt good to play here again."

Southeast, which led 36-24 at halftime, was never in any real danger but could not shake the underdog Bulldogs until an 11-0 run -- which featured seven points from McCuthison -- allowed the Indians to build a 67-44 lead with just over seven minutes left.

Truman State closed the game with a 15-3 spurt, which did not sit well with Garner.

"Overall, I thought it was okay for a first game. We had some bright spots," he said. "Really the only disappointing thing was the way we finished the game."

The Indians' next contest will be against another Division II team as Missouri-Rolla comes to town Tuesday night.