Nov. 10, 2009

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By Jeff Honza
Southeast Missouri State Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Freshman Derek Thompson scored 21 points off the bench and Southeast Missouri State shot 56 percent from the field en route to a 81-59 win over Ouachita Baptist Tuesday night in exhibition action at the Show Me Center. The Redhawks finished exhibition play at 2-0.

"Our biggest goal was to improve from the first game to the second," said Redhawks head coach Dickey Nutt. "We had some good performances. Guys played well off the bench. It was nice to see everyone trying to play their role."

Thompson, who hails from Detroit, Mich., turned in another impressive performance following his game-high 17 points against Harris-Stowe five days ago.

Despite being hampered by a sore groin, Thompson was Southeast's first man off the bench. He scored 18 of his points on 7-of-9 field goals, including 3-of-3 from three-point range. Thompson, who also went 1-of-1 at the free throw line, did all his damage over a 12-minute span in the first half.

"My teammates were setting good screens, which allowed me to get good looks," said Thompson. "I couldn't have done this without my teammates."

Southeast trailed by only two points early in the game before taking the lead on a Jajuan Maxwell layup 4:29 into the game. From then on, the Redhawks led the rest of the way.

Ouachita Baptist managed to stay within single-digits of Southeast until the Redhawks used a 12-5 run to close out the half.

Thompson accounted for nine points during the surge, as all three of his treys came with less than 3:30 remaining in the first half.

Thompson drained a three-pointer to give the Redhawks a 10-point lead (34-24) with 3:11 left. He then knocked down two more in just 47 seconds to help get Southeast a 43-29 lead at the intermission.

Ahead, 58-39, with 12:49 remaining in the second half, Southeast went on a 14-5 jaunt to bury the Tigers for good.

Cameron Butler's layup gave Southeast a 60-39 advantage, and after that, the Redhawks lead never fell below 22 points.

Southeast later grabbed its biggest lead (72-44) on LaMont Russell's layup at the 7:20 mark before polishing off the 81-59 victory.

Offensively, the Redhawks shot 56 percent (31-of-55) from the field and 50 percent (5-of-10) from three-point range. Southeast also outrebounded the Tigers, 47-23, with a 16-9 advantage on the offensive glass.

Defensively, Southeast held Ouachita Baptist under 40 percent (33.9, 19-of-56) from the field on the night. The Tigers made just 9-of-33 (27 percent) field goals in the second half.

"We did a good job defensively and had good ball movement," said Nutt. "We beat a good, well-coached, team tonight."

Thompson led all Redhawks scorers with 21 points in 16 minutes of action. Butler followed with 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while KaJuan Watson added 10 points. Watson connected on 3-of-4 from the field and 4-of-4 at the foul line in 10 minutes off the bench.

In addition, Southeast manhandled the Tigers, 26-6, in second chance points.

Ouachita Baptist was led by Reggie Britton and Austin Mitchell. Britton scored 12 points, while Mitchell followed with 11.

Southeast opens its 2009-10 season at Saint Louis on Nov. 14.