Redhawks notch first win against Culver-Stockton

It took longer than anticipated.

But once the 3-pointers stopped falling for Culver-Stockton, Southeast Missouri State had its expected blowout Friday night.

And its first win of the season.

The Redhawks put the clamps on a hot-shooting start by the visiting Wildcats and romped 89-50.

"It was good to finally get back to the Show Me Center," senior forward Jaycen Herring said.

Culver-Stockton, an NAIA team from Canton, Mo., came to Cape Girardeau with an 0-5 record.

The Wildcats didn't look like that type of squad early as they hit six of their first nine 3-point attempts to lead 28-23 more than 14 minutes into the game.

Junior forward Calvin Williams said the Redhawks needed to tighten their defense.

"We can't let a team come in here and go crazy," Williams said. "All we needed to do really was lock down on 'D.' That's our focus this year, team defense."

Culver-Stockton hit only one 3-point shot the rest of the night, and that came with two minutes left. The Wildcats finished 7 of 28 from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, the taller, stronger and quicker Redhawks had their way in every area.

"They came out more aggressive than us," Herring said. "But we got more aggressive.

"We came out kind of lackadaisical on defense, but we tightened it up and played a great second half."

Five players scored in double figures for Southeast, led by senior guard Kenard Moore's 24 points.

Moore, who had 37 points in Southeast's first two games -- lopsided losses at New Mexico and Kansas State hit 5 of 9 3-pointers. He was 9 of 13 from the field overall.

"I could tell in warmups we weren't as focused as we should be," Moore said of the slow start.

Herring scored 17 points while junior wing Johnny Hill matched his career high with 16 points.

"He's just active, all over the place," Southeast acting coach Zac Roman said of Hill, who entered this season with a 1.9 career scoring average. "He can make the midrange jumper and he defends his butt off."

Williams, at 6-foot-9 Southeast's tallest player, had 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.

Williams missed the first two games and both exhibition contests while he was suspended by the university.

"It felt great. I was anxious," Williams said of his return to the court. "I have to get my wind back, but once I get my wind, I'll be fine."

Williams, who shot 57.6 percent from the free-throw line last season, made all six of his attempts Friday. He also went 4 of 6 from the floor.

"I focused mainly in the summer on ballhandling, midrange and free throws," Williams said. "I was poor in free throws last year."

Said Roman: "Calvin worked his butt off over the summer."

Junior college transfer forward LaMont Russell had his first double-double at Southeast with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Russell made all seven of his foul shots.

Junior college transfer point guard Bijon Jones dished out eight assists and did not have a turnover.

"We came out kind of lethargic. They were beating us to the punch," Roman said. "The thing I was proud of is we responded."

Southeast shot 53.6 percent from the field while allowing just 30.6 percent, hit 22 of 25 free throws, held a 44-28 rebounding advantage and had 18 assists against 13 turnovers.

"I saw us winning the game convincingly, but not that convincingly," Roman said.

After falling into the 28-23 hole, Southeast closed the first half with a 21-4 run to lead 44-32.

The Redhawks poured it on in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 45-18.

Southeast capped the rout with three late dunks, two by the 6-foot Moore and one by Williams off an alley-oop feed from Jones.

Even freshman walk-on guard Marty Dames from Bell City got in on the act as he played the final 2:57 and scored his first collegiate points on a 15-foot baseline shot.

"We just need to keep this momentum going to Iowa [Southeast[']s next opponent, Tuesday night]," Williams said.

Drew, Kirk miss game

Junior guard Jimmy Drew again did not play, this time because of a lingering foot problem that also plagued him last year.

Drew missed the first two games of the season for undisclosed disclipinary reasons.

So for the third straight contest, Drew was on the bench in street clothes.

Also on the bench in street clothes Friday was junior forward Israel Kirk, who injured an ankle during Sunday's game at Kansas State.

Roman said Kirk should be available for Tuesday's game at Iowa. Roman said Drew is questionable.