MOREHEAD, KY. -- Thanks to Saturday night's big win at Eastern Illinois, Southeast Missouri State University's longest Ohio Valley Conference road trip of the season didn't seem quite as lengthy for the Indians.

Normally, the approximately 400-mile bus ride to Morehead, Ky., is a real grind. But it was made a bit easier by the fact the Indians were able to squeeze out a one-point victory in Charleston, Ill.

"The bus ride is a lot better when you're coming off a big win," said Southeast coach Gary Garner. "Had we lost (at Eastern Illinois), this week would have been really tough for us. But the way we won, I think everybody feels really good about themselves."

Southeast is in the far eastern portion of Kentucky to conclude the regular season with two road games, beginning with tonight's 7 o'clock tipoff against Morehead State. The Indians then move on to Richmond to face Eastern Kentucky Saturday.

Two struggling teams await the Indians for this final OVC road trip -- Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky hold down ninth and 10th place, respectively, in the 10-team league -- but Garner knows better than to take either squad for granted.

"All teams are a lot better at home," he said. "You see that in every conference. It doesn't matter how you did against a team at home, when you go to their place, it's a totally different game."

Tonight's foe, Morehead State, could be especially formidable because the Eagles' backs are totally against the wall as they attempt to qualify for the OVC postseason tournament.

Only the top eight finishers in the final league standings make the conference tourney. The Eagles, 9-16 overall and 4-12 in OVC play, can still catch eighth-place Tennessee State.

"They still really have something to play for, knowing they still have a shot to get in the tournament, so they'll have great incentive to win the game," Garner said. "Every team wants to get into the tournament, because once you get in, anything can happen."

Southeast, 19-6 overall and a second-place 12-4 in the OVC, also still has plenty to play for. The Indians, who have clinched at least a tie for second place in the league and will host a first-round OVC Tournament game Tuesday, are just one game behind first-place Murray State.

"We can't control what Murray State does, but they have two tough games left ( at Middle Tennessee and Tennessee Tech) and we know they could lose one of them," said Garner. "But the main thing is, we want to finish up strong."

Morehead State is reeling, having lost nine of its last 10 games and three in a row. But the Eagles are dangerous at home, as evidenced by a recent overtime loss to Murray State.

The Eagles are the OVC's best 3-point shooting team, and Garner knows when they are clicking from long range, they can knock off just about anybody on their home court.

"They have six guys shoot the 3-pointer, and shoot it well," he said. "The first thing we have to do is take their 3-point shot away."

Morehead State shoots a league-best 40 percent from 3-point range. In overall field-goal percentage, they are second in the OVC at 47 percent.

Conversely, Southeast is statistically the OVC's top defensive team, leading the way in points allowed (62 per game), field-goal percentage defense (.380) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (.294).

One of Southeast's primarily focal points tonight will be defending Brad Cleaver, a 6-foot-3 senior guard who is sixth in the OVC in scoring at 17.1 points per game and second in the league in 3-point shooting at 44 percent.

Five other Eagles shoot at least 35 percent from 3-point range, led by Greg Hendricks at 46 percent, although he has not made enough to qualify among the OVC's statistical leaders.

"They've got some really good shooters who we can't let get open," said Garner, who is 5-0 against Morehead State since he took over at Southeast.

The Eagles' only other double-figure scorer is 6-7 sophomore center Kyle Umberger, who averages 13 points per game and is fifth in the OVC in field-goal shooting at 56 percent.