Butler battling foot problem

SEMO basketball coach Dickey Nutt said junior forward Cameron Butler is battling a foot problem that could keep him out of Thursday's game at Morehead State, although Nutt is hopeful Butler will be able to play.

Butler suffered a foot injury during Sunday's practice. Nutt said X-rays were negative, meaning there is no break, but Butler is in quite a bit of pain and his status for Thursday likely won't be determined until close to game time.

Nutt said the injury is comparable to turf toe and whether Butler plays Thursday will basically be a pain tolerance issue. Butler is been held out of practice.

Nutt said the foot had been bothering Butler for a while but he evidently aggravated it Sunday. Nutt characterized Butler as a "tough guy," which the coach hopes will help make Butler available Thursday.

Butler is SEMO's No. 2 scorer and rebounder with averages of 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

SEMO will need all its weapons this week because the Redhawks face a long and tough road trip.

Defending OVC tournament champion Morehead State is in second place in the 10-team conference, while Eastern Kentucky -- Saturday's opponent -- is tied for third.

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SEMO women's basketball coach John Ishee said junior wing Lauren Sharpe is not likely to play in this week's games at Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky.

Sharpe, SEMO's top returning scorer from last year, missed Saturday's loss at Eastern Illinois due to back problems and Ishee isn't sure when she'll be able to play again. There is a chance Sharpe will have surgery, which would end her season.

Sharpe is SEMO No. 3 scorer with a 7.2 average after averaging eight points last year. She leads the Redhawks in steals with 23 to rank sixth in the OVC in that department.

SEMO's women, who recently lost freshman guard Jasmine Davis -- the team's leading scorer -- to a season-ending knee injury, also face a tough road trip as Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky are tied for first in the OVC.