Redhawks, Colonels battle for OVC lead

There still will be three regular-season games remaining after today, but it's highly likely the Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball champion will be determined this afternoon in Richmond, Ky.

At 4:30 p.m., the hottest teams in the OVC square off when Southeast Missouri State (17-6, 11-1) visits Eastern Kentucky (16-7, 11-1) in a battle for sole possession of first place.

Since today's meeting will be the only one between the OVC co-leaders, and since both squads will be heavily favored in their final three games, it's somewhat difficult to imagine that the winner won't end up claiming the regular-season title.

"Whoever wins this will still have to take care of business the rest of the way," said Southeast coach B.J. Smith, whose team has already clinched a home game for the first round of the OVC tournament. "But I'd say there's a really good chance that the winner will end up winning the championship."

The Redhawks have posted 10 consecutive victories for their longest winning streak since the program moved to the Division I level in 1991-92. That also ties for the nation's eighth-longest current winning streak.

EKU has won eight straight and is undefeated at home this season.

"Both teams are really hot," Smith said.

And both squads suffered their only OVC loss at Tennessee Tech, EKU falling 65-57 on Jan. 15 and Southeast going down 80-78 on Jan. 8. But the preseason favorite Eaglettes have two league losses and would need some help to overhaul the Redhawks or Colonels.

While Southeast -- picked just fifth in the OVC preseason poll -- has been simply steamrolling the opposition, preseason No. 4 EKU has had more than its share of close calls.

During the Redhawks' winning streak, their closest decision was by eight points at Tennessee State on Jan. 13. The other nine victories have been by at least 15 points, including three of more than 30 points.

During the Colonels' winning streak, three of their decisions were by six points or less, including two-point cliffhangers at Tennessee State and Jacksonville State.

But while the Redhawks may be romping, the bottom line is that the Colonels also continue to win.

"It doesn't matter if it's by one point or 30, it counts the same," Smith said.

While today's game has been anticipated by Southeast fans for some time, the Redhawks maintain that they've simply focused on each opponent as it has come up.

"We just take it one game at a time. We don't look ahead because we know anybody can beat you," senior forward Chandra Brown said.

Said senior guard Brandi Russia: "We made sure we didn't overlook anybody because that's how you get beat."

Smith said he admires the way his players have avoided looking ahead to EKU -- if in fact they have.

"All of us are human," he said. "I think we've been thinking about them, and now we really can."

What Smith hopes his players don't think too much about is the fact Southeast's women have never won at EKU's McBrayer Arena. The Colonels own a commanding 23-4 lead in the all-time series, including 13-0 at home.

But virtually all of those defeats at EKU were before Smith took over the program. Under Smith, Southeast has played at EKU just once, during Smith's first season in 2002-03. The Redhawks are 1-2 against the Colonels under Smith, winning last year at the Show Me Center.

"Our players weren't around for all those losses over there," Smith said. "It's a tough place to play, but I think our players are confident they can win anywhere. We'll see what happens."