~ The Redhawks defeated Central Baptist College 118-56

Jerekious Bradley had a pretty good Monday.

So did the rest of the Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team, which was hardly surprising.

The Redhawks were expected to trounce Central Baptist College in their home opener -- and that's exactly what happened.

Southeast, led by another strong performance from Bradley, crushed the overmatched NAIA visitors from Conway, Ark., 118-56 in front of announced crowd of 1,292 at the Show Me Center.

The Redhawks improved to 1-1 while the Mustangs are 0-4.

"It was a good game, pretty fun," redshirt freshman guard C.J. Reese said with a grin.

Said Southeast coach Dickey Nutt: "Winning is winning. I told our guys winning is precious. We did exactly what we were supposed to do. We played the right way tonight, really unselfish."

Earlier Monday Bradley was named both the Ohio Valley Conference player of the week and newcomer of the week. It was the first time a Southeast player pulled off that feat in the same week, according to university officials.

Bradley was recognized for his dazzling Division I debut in Friday's loss at Saint Louis University, when he had 22 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

"What a great start for him ... well deserved," Nutt said.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound guard/forward, a first-team junior-college All-American last year, was just as effective Monday night against much lesser competition.

Bradley had 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks while playing only 23 minutes because the contest was so lopsided. He hit eight of 14 shots, including three of six 3-pointers.

Southeast Missouri State's Jerekious Bradley slam dunks in the first half against Central Baptist College, Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, at the Show Me Center. (Laura Simon)

Bradley had 16 points by halftime, when the Redhawks led 49-27.

"Just my team. ... They find me. I just make shots," said the soft-spoken Bradley, deflecting credit for the awards and his performances.

Five other Southeast players scored in double figures as the Redhawks shot 55.6 percent (45 of 81) and hit 17 of 35 3-pointers (48.6 percent).

Freshman guard Jamaal Calvin followed Bradley with 19 points, 16 in the second half. He hit three consecutive 3-pointers during one stretch early in the final period. He added six rebounds, four steals and two assists.

"It was kind of a rough first half. I hit a lot of shots in the second half," said Calvin, who made 4 of 10 3-pointers. "It was with the help of my teammates."

Junior college transfer guard Darrian Gray scored 17 points, hitting 8 of 13 from the field.

Reese added 15 points and eight assists.

"I think we could have done a little bit better, but as a team I think we did well," Reese said. "Good teamwork."

Freshman guard Antonius Cleveland had 13 points while leading the Redhawks with eight rebounds. He added four steals, two assists and two blocks.

Cleveland delivered the highlight play of the night midway through the second half when he threw down a one-handed dunk over a helpless defender.

"He just keeps getting better and better," Nutt said.

Senior point guard Lucas Nutt scored nine points -- he made three of six from beyond the arc -- and dished out nine assists.

Even Southeast's two walk-on guards from the area got into the act as playing time was plentiful for all the available Redhawks.

Juco transfer Will Holified from Sikeston High School hit three of four from 3-point range and scored 11 points.

Freshman Kyle Stroder from Leopold High School scored his first Southeast points. He made two of three 3-pointers and finished with eight points.

The Redhawks had 27 assists against just nine turnovers and held the Mustangs to 34.6-percent shooting. The visitors had 25 turnovers as Southeast came up with 15 steals.

"We got our hands on some balls tonight," Dickey Nutt said.

Southeast actually trailed 5-2 early before a 19-1 run broke the game wide open. It was 49-27 at halftime and the Redhawks outscored the Mustangs 69-29 in the second half.

"A little shaky start. We loosened up, especially in the second half," Dickey Nutt said.

Southeast played its second and final game without two of its top players, who also rank as the biggest Redhawks.

Senior forward Tyler Stone, the OVC preseason player of the year, and junior forward Nino Johnson -- a fellow all-OVC preseason pick -- were both suspended last week for the first two contests of the season due to a violation of unspecified team rules.

Stone and Johnson will both return Saturday when the Redhawks begin a two-game road trip at IUPUI in a noon tipoff.

"Now we move on, get our players back," Dickey Nutt said. "I think we got their attention."