Winans moves up on career scoring list

Primarily because of an injury, Derek Winans has scored just 18 points so far this season.

Still, that total has allowed Southeast Missouri State University's senior guard to move into fifth place on the school career men's basketball scoring list.

Winans, who missed all of preseason practice as well as the first four games with a stress fracture in his left leg, is coming off his best performance, a 13-point showing during Saturday's 83-77 win over Central Methodist.

A former standout at Shawnee (Ill.) High School who was Southeast's leading scorer the past three seasons, Winans now has 1,284 career points to surpass both Ronny Rankin (1,277) and Devon Lake (1,279).

Winans, who began the year seventh in career scoring at Southeast, would have to produce quite a few points the rest of the season to move up any more. In fourth place is Bud Eley (1,611).

But more than chasing any records, Winans is simply happy to once again be back on the court as he continues to shake off the rust from his long layoff.

"I'm getting there," Winans said after Saturday's game. "It felt good to get some shots to fall, but I'm just trying to play within the system and help the team out."

Southeast coach Gary Garner sees Winans progressing every game, but he knows there is still a long way to go.

"Derek is still not close to where he's going to be," said Garner, whose 3-4 squad hosts Southern Illinois (5-2) Saturday night. "We've said all along we hope to have really ready by conference time."

Hale stays hot

Senior guard Brett Hale continues to sizzle with his outside shooting. The Dexter High School product is hitting 61.5 percent from 3-point range (16 of 26) to lead the Ohio Valley Conference. In the most recent NCAA statistics, (through Dec. 6) Hale ranked 16th nationally in 3-point percentage.

"Brett just continues to shoot lights out," Garner said. "You can just see the confidence."

Said Hale, Southeast's third-leading scorer at 14.2 points per game, "My shot feels real good, and I've got a lot of confidence. Right now, I'm surprised when it doesn't go in."

Golson nabs honor

Senior forward Reggie Golson was named the OVC player of the week on Monday. He scored 30 points and had 21 rebounds in two games while shooting 63.6 percent from the field.

For the season, Golson is Southeast's second-leading scorer with a 15-point average (behind senior forward Dainmon Gonner's 20.6). He is the team's top rebounder with 8.3 per contest, also ranks first in blocks with 10 and steals with 13, and is shooting 59.5 percent.

"Reggie can really score around the basket," Garner said.

Noteworthy

• Junior center Ketshner Guerrier, who suffered a knee injury during the shootaround prior to Saturday's game, was scheduled to have an MRI Monday afternoon, which should reveal the extent of the damage. Even if there is no tear, Guerrier could miss up to three weeks. Results of the MRI are not expected for a few days.

Junior forward James White has not yet played because of a knee injury and Garner said he is almost certainly out for the season. Sophomore forward Cody Lewis did not play Saturday because of a back injury.

• Saturday's game against Southern Illinois will begin at 8 p.m. instead of the normal 7:30 p.m. tipoff because of graduation ceremonies at the Show Me Center that afternoon.