Edgar returns to a big victory

~ Southeast claimed a 96-85 road victory over Murray State.

MURRAY, Ky. -- Scott Edgar made a triumphant return to Murray State Monday night.

And it took virtually the entire Southeast Missouri State roster to make sure the Redhawks' first-year coach would beat his former team.

With many of Southeast's key players in foul trouble -- and with senior guard Terrick Willoughby out because of an illness -- Edgar had to dig deeper into his bench than normal.

But everybody Edgar turned to responded, resulting in a resounding 96-85 victory for the resurgent Redhawks.

"This is a huge win," Southeast junior center Mike Rembert said. "We're definitely excited."

Southeast (6-11, 4-4 Ohio Valley Conference) now has a three-game winning streak for the first time this season, with all three wins coming in league play and by at least 11 points.

A week after being tied for last place in the 11-team OVC -- and carrying a six-game losing streak -- the Redhawks have now moved into a fifth-place deadlock.

"We're getting our confidence back," junior forward Brandon Foust said.

Edgar was coaching a game in Murray, Ky., for the first time since 1995. That year he completed a four-season run in charge of the Racers, who he led to a 79-40 record -- including a 56-17 OVC mark -- and two NCAA tournament berths.

Edgar downplayed the significance of beating his former squad -- "I told the guys this is not about me, this is about you guys" -- but his players weren't buying it.

"Even though he said it didn't mean much, we know it did," junior point guard Paul Paradoski said.

Added Rembert: "As much as he said it didn't mean a whole lot, we knew it did."

Edgar was outwardly more excited that the Redhawks were able to continue their winning ways and handle the defending OVC champion Racers (7-8, 5-3).

"I told our team we had to have the heart of a champion. Murray is the OVC champions until somebody beats them [for the title]," Edgar said. "It's like a heavyweight fight, you can't win a split decision with the champion.

"We're coming around. We're getting physically better and mentally tougher. We're starting to get a swagger. I told them to take the floor with a swagger."

Rembert got into early foul trouble and wound up fouling out, while several other Southeast starters and key reserves were also in foul trouble much of the night.

But Edgar used all 11 healthy scholarship players -- and everybody contributed.

"I'm really proud of our guys. It took every one of them," Edgar said.

Nobody came up bigger among the normal deep reserves than freshman guard Johnny Hill.

Hill saw considerable action early in the season but had not played much in recent weeks.

With Willoughby not even making the trip after he was diagnosed with mononucleosis-like symptoms, Edgar turned to Hill early.

Hill responded, making his first three attempts from 3-point range. He scored 11 first-half points and finished with 16, after he had previously scored just 23 points all season, including only five points in OVC play.

"An opportunity presented itself for Johnny Hill ... when he started hitting threes, it got us excited," Edgar said.

Said Hill: "With Terrick out, I thought I might play more, plus I was going hard in practice. It's all about confidence."

Foust, the touted transfer from Oklahoma who has been up and down so far this season, scored a career-high 23 points, 17 in the first half. He also matched his career high with nine rebounds.

"Coach told me he wanted me to be more aggressive," Foust said.

Said Edgar: "Brandon responded ... this was the best he's played."

Junior guard David Johnson scored 18 points, 14 in the second half. He also had five assists and blocked four shots.

Freshman point guard Roderick Pearson continued his strong play since moving into the starting lineup, scoring 17 points -- 15 in the final period -- and dishing out five assists.

Freshman guard Marcus Rhodes, making his first start in place of Willoughby, scored seven points and made both of his 3-pointers, both at key times in the second half to help blunt MSU rallies.

Junior forward Dionte Perry, who also had not been playing very much recently, hit all three of his shots and added eight points off the bench.

"We had a lot of people come off the bench and do a good job," Foust said.

Four straight points by Foust late in the first half broke a 35-35 tie and put Southeast ahead for good. It was 43-37 at halftime after a follow shot in the final seconds by little-used senior center Tyrell White, who with the basket matched his point total for the season.

Southeast never relinquished the lead in the second half, building it to 15 points twice and then holding off the Racers despite Rembert and Hill both fouling out.

After hitting just six of 15 free throws in the first half, the Redhawks made 22 of 32 in the final period, including seven of eight in the last minute.

Pearson and Johnson were a combined 17-of-20 from the line, 10-of-12 by Pearson and seven-of-eight by Johnson. The physical contest featured 59 combined fouls and 90 combined free throws.

"Roderick and David going 17-for-20 from the foul line, that's huge," Edgar said.

Southeast has now won all four games in which it has scored at least 80 points, as the Redhawks reached a season-high point total against the Racers despite having just nine turnovers.

"It's pretty good when you can score 96 points and only have nine turnovers," Edgar said.

Noteworthy

• Pearson was named the OVC freshman of the week on Monday.

In two Southeast wins last week, Pearson scored 32 points, to go along with 14 assists, six rebounds and six steals. He had career highs of 22 points, 11 assists and five steals against Eastern Kentucky.