INDIANS HAVE A MISSION IN MISSOULA

MISSOULA, Mont. -- If Southeast Missouri State University's basketball team is to remain undefeated tonight, the Indians will have to end Montana's long streak.

Since the KGVO Coca-Cola Classic began in 1980, host Montana has never failed to reach the finals of its own tournament.

But if the Grizzlies are to make it 20 straight championship-game appearances, they will have to hand Southeast its first loss of the season.

The 5-0 Indians and 1-4 Grizzlies open the four-team event tonight with a 7:35 (CST) tipoff at the Adams Center.

Tonight's second game will feature Idaho (2-4) against Robert Morris (2-3) at about 9:35.

Saturday night, the third place game will be at 7:35, with the championship contest set for 9:35.

Southeast coach Gary Garner, always one to use any motivational tool he can, made sure to tell his players of Montana's history of never having lost a first-round game in its own tournament.

"That's a really impressive streak, to have been in the championship game every year," said Garner. "And they've had some good teams in the tournament over the years, so they've had to beat some good teams.

"It's going to be quite a challenge for us to end that streak, but I think it could be some good, extra motivation for our players."

Garner figures Montana won't need any extra motivation. The Grizzlies will be wanting to pay back the Indians for the 66-61 loss Southeast handed Montana on Nov. 27 in Cape Girardeau.

"I'm sure they'll be using the revenge factor," Garner said. "Any time you lose, there's that get-even mentality. And I'm sure, with them only losing by five at our place, they'll feel like they can get us at their place."

Montana is led by 6-foot-7 senior center Matt Williams, who averages 18 points and eight rebounds per game and is regarded as one of the top players in the Big Sky Conference.

Williams was the MVP of last year's Montana Tournament.

Also averaging in double figures for the Grizzlies are 6-3 senior guard Mike Warhank and 6-1 sophomore point guard Shane Christianson, who contribute nearly 12 and 11 points per game, respectively.

In the earlier meeting between the teams, Williams was slowed by early foul trouble and wound up scoring just 13 points.

But the ultra-quick Christianson had a strong game as he scored a career-high 18 points.

"Williams didn't have a real good game against us the first time, but he's a very good player" said Garner. "Christianson really had a good game."

Southeast has been getting balanced scoring, with four players averaging in double figures and a fifth just off that mark.

Starters Mike Branson (12.6 ppg), Roderick Johnson (11.6 ppg), Michael Stokes (11.6 ppg) and Amory Sanders (11.4 ppg) lead the way offensively, with Nyah Jones (9.8 ppg) making plenty of contributions off the bench.

Johnson scored 15 points in the first game against Montana, but the real star was Brian Bunche, who scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, including eight offensive boards.

Emmanuel McCuthison, another of Southeast's key players off the bench, also had 12 points that night.

Considering how tight Montana played Southeast the first time, Garner is expecting nothing less than a real battle.

"We're going to have to play a very good game to win on their floor," he said. "But we fully intend to do that."

The Indians should definitely have confidence playing on the road, mainly because of their recent win at Tennessee Tech in their only Ohio Valley Conference and road game to date.

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Garner credits his three seniors -- Branson, Johnson and Bunche -- for helping lead the team when it is away from home.

"Our senior leadership was really great in our only other road game," Garner said. "The example they set on the road is very good."

Said Branson, "We were really a good road team last year (winning eight of nine OVC road games) and we want that to carry over. I think we just really prepare well and get ready to play."

SEMO vs. Montana

7:35 p.m., Adams Center, Missoula, Mont.

Probable Starters

SEMO (5-0)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.

Roderick Johnson F Sr. 6-6 11.6

Mike Branson F Sr. 6-6 12.6

Brian Bunche C Sr. 6-8 5.4

Michael Stokes G Jr. 6-0 11.6

Amory Sanders G Jr. 6-1 11.4

Montana (1-4)

Player Pos. Yr. Ht. Avg.