When college basketball practice began on Oct. 15, 1988, there were 187 NCAA Division II schools with hopes of reaching the national championship game, but on March 25, 1989 at the Springfield, Massachusetts Civic Center only two teams remained- Southeast Missouri State and North Carolina Central.

A big and strong North Carolina Central team won the national title game, 73-46, before a national audience on ESPN, but Southeast's group of overachievers had accomplished a great deal during the 1989 NCAA tournament.

After being upset by Central Missouri State in the opening round of the MIAA post-season tournament, the Indians had to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Southeast got the bid and was selected to host the South Central Regional at the Show Me Center.

In the NCAA opener, the Indians came from behind in the final five minutes to beat Angelo State 65-60 as Earnest Taylor scored the final seven points. In the regional finals, the Indians cruised by Central Missouri 88-73 to earn a berth in the NCAA Elite Eight. Senior Malcomn Henry was chosen regional MVP.

In the opening game at the Springfield Civic Center the Indians met a very physical Wisconsin-Milwaukee team and the fans were treated to an old fashioned shoot out with both teams playing great pressure defense and wide open offense. The Indians trailed by a point with 4:15 to go but rallied to win 93-84 as over 200 Southeast fans who had made the long trip to Springfield cheered them on. Taylor led Southeast with 19 points while Henry pulled down 16 rebounds.

California-Riverside, a team that had beaten Iowa by 18 points during the regular season, was the Southeast opponent in the semi-finals. It was truly a great game that many veteran court side reporters and officials called the best game ever played in the NCAA II tournament.

Trailing late in the game, the Indians needed a dramatic three-point shot from behind the NBA three-point line by Mike Lewis to send the game into overtime. In the OT, Taylor banked in a jumper with seven seconds remaining to give the indians a 84-83 victory and a spot in the NCAA finals for the second time in four years.

North Carolina Central dominated the championship game, but the Indians had again given their fans a great season with a record of 27-6.

As a fitting tribute to another great season, the Indians were honored by Governor John Ashcroft during a dinner at the Executive Mansion in Jefferson City.

The NCAA Tournament Trail

Southeast 65, Angelo State 60

Southeast 88, Central Missouri 73

Southeast 93, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 84

Southeast 84, California-Riverside 83 OT

North Carolina Central 63, Southeast 46