As disappointed as Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Gary Garner was by another down season for the Indians, he's not discouraged regarding the state of the program.

Tuesday night's 91-84 loss at Morehead State in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament -- Southeast trailed by 20 points before pulling within three late -- ended the Indians' campaign at 11-19.

Combined with last season's 6-22 record, the Indians have compiled a two-year mark of 17-41. Garner's first four seasons at Southeast yielded four winning records and a combined 62-28 mark during the three seasons prior to last year, including the program's first OVC title and NCAA Division I Tournament berth in 2000.

"You never like to lose, and I'm not happy about what's happened the last two years," Garner said. "But there are reasons we have been down the last couple of years, and people close to the program know that.

"Talk is cheap, and it's so easy to say, but I do really feel good about the future of our program. I think the future is bright. I think we'll be back in the hunt next year."

Because of off-the-court problems, defections, injuries and NCAA scholarship limitations, Southeast's roster has been thin on both talent and numbers the past two seasons.

While improved this year, Southeast still found it tough to consistently beat more talented teams.

"We kept getting a little bit better, but we weren't able to win enough games down the stretch," said Garner, whose squad dropped eight of its final 10 contests. "You're always hoping to win more, but I think this team came close to winning as many games as we should have won.

"We were so close to being a good basketball team, and yet so far."

A slumping defense

The Indians' most glaring weakness came on the defensive end of the floor, where they allowed opponents to shoot nearly 50 percent from the field, a remarkably high number. Garner acknowledged that part of the Indians' defensive troubles stemmed from a lack of athleticism.

"We really struggled on the defensive end of the floor," Garner said. "Our athleticism is the thing we need to improve the most, and that will help us improve defensively."

The Indians had just two seniors this year. Third-leading scorer Tim Scheer averaged 13.1 points per game before suffering a season-ending knee injury late, while Demetrius King was a key player off the bench.

Southeast will return its two leading scorers and four of its top five, along with the OVC's second-leading rebounder and top assist man.

Sophomore guard Derek Winans led the Indians in scoring for the second straight season, averaging 15.3 points per game. He ranked among the OVC leaders in five statistical categories.

Sophomore guard Brett Hale was second with 13.7 points per contest, and he was the Indians' top scorer in conference games at more than 16 per outing. Hale, the OVC's top free-throw shooter at 91.4 percent, ranked third in 3-point shooting at 42.9 percent.

Junior center Brandon Griffin had a big rookie season as a junior-college transfer, averaging 11.9 points and 10.5 rebounds. He was second in the OVC in rebounding and broke Bud Eley's single-season school record.

Griffin helped the Indians finish the season close to even on the boards. No other Southeast player averaged more than four rebounds.

"Whenever you break Bud Eley's rebounding record, you've had a great season," Garner said. "I don't know where we would have been without Brandon."

Junior forward Damarcus Hence averaged 10.5 points and sophomore guard Kevin Roberts led the OVC with 179 assists to rank second on Southeast's all-time single-season list.

Also scheduled to return next season are sophomore center Adam Crader and freshmen forward Cole Grapperhaus, who both saw limited action off the bench, along with walk-on freshman guard John Boggio, who helped alleviate Southeast's depth problem.

New talent on board

But what has Garner optimistic is the influx of new and improved talent next season. Three players who practiced with the team most of the season will be ready to step in next year.

Reggie Golson, an athletic 6-foot-7 forward who transferred from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, played in just one game this year before taking a medical redshirt because of knee problems. He should be fully recovered by next season. Dainmon Gonner, a 6-6, 240-pound forward, joined the squad for practice at the semester after transferring from Hutchinson Community College. Valparaiso point guard Mike Nelke practiced with the team all season while sitting out games under NCAA transfer rules.

A fourth newcomer next season will be Norman Prather, an athletic guard from Mineral Area (Mo.) College and Caruthersville High School.

The Indians also likely will sign at least two players during the spring signing period, with perhaps another athletic guard and inside player joining the mix from the junior-college ranks, which will get Southeast nearly at full scholarship strength for the first time in three years.

"With the players we have returning, and the guys we've got sitting out this year and coming in next year, we'll have all five positions covered and we'll have depth," Garner said. "I think we'll really improve our athleticism."

Southeast's returning players already seem to be licking their chops over next season.

"We were at least improved this year, and we've got the experience coming back and some really good players coming in," Winans said. "We were so close this year in so many games, I think those new players will really help us get over the hump. I think we can have a really good year."

Said Hale, "We're real positive. If we can keep everybody healthy, it should be a good year."

mmishow@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 132