BASKETBALL: Indians own rematch with MEL
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[In a rematch from just one week ago, Du Quoin took care of business against Metro East Lutheran on Tuesday night, knocking off the Knights 81-61 at Anders Gymnasium for their eleventh win of the season.
Just seven days ago, the Indians pummelled MEL 70-28 to earn third place in the 2010 Duster Thomas Hoops Classic and had four players reach double figures in scoring. Last night, there were again four Du Quoin players in double-digits, led by senior guard Connor Wheeler's 25 points.
"We did a good job running our break," said Indians' head coach Gabe Sveda. "We worked on that the last couple practices a whole lot."
Both teams started a bit cold from the floor, but the Indians heated up quickly. Wheeler had six points in the first five minutes and J.C. Davis worked the in-and-out with Sam Gossett for an open three-pointer that fell in for a 12-1 Du Quoin lead with 2:53 to go in the opening quarter.
From there the Indians went to work extending their lead, never looking back until the starters came out of the game in the final frame before being called back into the contest in the closing moments as MEL tried to chip away.
Time was not on the Knights' side, however, and Du Quoin held on for a comfortable victory.
"At times we got too 'hands-y' on defense," said Sveda. "We wanted to do a better job of sliding over to take the charge. At times we do a decent job of that, we have to get better all the way around on that. Also on offense, we want to be a little more patient and move the ball, space out a little better and find the open cutter."
Joining Wheeler in double figures were Davis (13 points), Gossett (13) and Aaron Smith (12), who was starting in place of the injured Seth Baxter.
The Indians shot 61% (25-for-41) from the floor while holding the Knights to 32% (12-for-37), and won the rebounding battle 26-21.
Awaiting Du Quoin on Friday is co-leader of the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference's Mississippi Division, state-ranked Nashville (3-0, 12-2).
"They are very sound defensively, very patient offensively," Sveda said of the Hornets. "It'll be a tough match for us, especially at their place, but we're looking forward to it and we'll be ready."