Otahkians release basketball schedule

A beefed-up home schedule featuring a date with perennial powerhouse Southwest Missouri State highlights the Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball schedule that was recently finalized.

The Otahkians' 27-game schedule includes 14 home contests. Six of Southeast's 11 nonconference games are at the Show Me Center after the Otahkians had just three nonleague home dates last year.

"It's a good schedule, and I like it a lot better because we've got a lot more nonconference home games," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said.

Southeast again plays both its exhibition games at home, Nov. 8 against Christian Brothers and Nov. 12 against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

The regular season tips off Nov. 19 when Southeast visits powerful Oklahoma for the third straight year. The first home game is Nov. 23 against Lyon College.

Also on the home schedule is a four-team Thanksgiving tournament Nov. 26 and 27. Arkansas-Little Rock, Illinois-Chicago and Texas Southern join Southeast in the field.

Southeast also competes in a road tournament as the Otahkians visit the University of Hawaii on Dec. 9 and 10 for a three-team event that also includes Brigham Young.

"Hawaii was looking for teams for their tournament and they contacted us," Smith said. "They're paying our way out there, so that worked out well."

The Otahkians host Southwest Missouri State on Dec. 22 and also have nonconference home games against Chicago State (Dec. 30) and Oakland City (Dec. 31). The other nonleague road matchups are against Southern Illinois (Dec. 1) and Illinois-Chicago (Dec. 18).

Southeast begins its 16-game Ohio Valley Conference schedule Jan. 6 at Austin Peay.

"The Southwest Missouri State game should be a really good attraction for our fans after we went to their place the last two years," Smith said. "Overall, it's a very good schedule."

Smith also recently hired an assistant coach to fill out his staff. Kevin Emerick replaces Rick Karr, who left following last season to became an assistant at Oral Roberts.

Emerick, who was out of coaching last year, is a former head coach at Panhandle (Okla.) State and Northern Montana.

"He's a good all -around coach and an experienced recruiter," Smith said. "He's a very good addition to our staff."

Soccer settles for tie

Southeast's women's soccer team began OVC play Friday afternoon with a 2-2 tie at Tennessee Tech. The Otahkians are 5-2-1 overall and the Eaglettes are 4-2-2.

The Otahkians forced overtime with less than a minute left in the second half as Diana Poovey scored off an assist from Molli Beard. Neither squad scored in the pair of 10-minute sudden death overtime periods.

Heather Reding put Southeast ahead 1-0 midway through the first half, with Alaina Lacopo and Megan Hejlek earning assists. Tech's Jill Burns scored twice early in the second half before Poovey's late goal.

Southeast held a 20-19 edge in shots and a 6-5 advantage in corner kicks. Otahkian keeper Amanda Wrzos made six saves while Tech's Loretta McNamee had 10 saves.

The Otahkians play another OVC road game Sunday, facing Austin Peay at 2 p.m.

Volleyball falls on road

Southeast's volleyball team dropped its OVC opener Friday night as host Austin Peay pulled out a 28-30, 30-23, 27-30, 30-27, 15-11 victory. The Otahkians are 1-10 overall and the Govs are 4-8.

Jill Miller led the Otahkians with 25 kills, followed by Jessica Koeper with 17 and Brittany Hastings with 13. Lauren Scannell had 24 digs while Miller and Hastings added 18 each. Setter Jamie Baumstark recorded 60 assists, 10 digs and three service aces.

The Otahkians have another OVC road match today, playing Tennessee Tech at 2 p.m.