Redhawks not bashful about looking ahead to next season

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As disappointed as Southeast Missouri State's Redhawks were after falling just short of the program's first NCAA Division I tournament berth, they vowed to do even better next season.

"It's unfortunate for the seniors, but we have a lot of people coming back," junior forward Natalie Purcell said. "I think we can be more successful."

Said junior center Tatiana Conceicao, the OVC's player of the year: "We have a good team, and we're going to be good next year."

Southeast loses just three seniors, including two starters in forward Chandra Brown and guard Brandi Russia. Brown was the Redhawks' leading rebounder and shot-blocker, while Russia was their second-leading scorer and top 3-point shooter.

But the bulk of the squad is underclassmen, including leading scorer Conceicao, as the Redhawks went 22-8 for the program's best record since joining Division I in 1991-92.

"Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee Tech will both have a lot players coming back, but we feel good about us," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said. "I feel we'll have a good chance to get back here."

And Smith isn't even conceding that this season is over, despite Saturday's 84-73 double-overtime loss to Eastern Kentucky in the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

There is a chance the Redhawks, who finished second in the OVC's regular season -- just one game behind Eastern Kentucky -- will receive consideration for a spot in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.

"I hope we get an NIT bid," Smith said. "It would be a nice reward."

Added Smith: "We had a really good group of kids this year. I feel bad for them, and bad for the seniors, but the others will have another chance."

All-tournament team

Southeast had two players voted to the five-member all-tournament team, Conceicao and Purcell.

Also making the squad were Eastern Kentucky's Miranda Eckerle and Ashley Cazee along with Tennessee Tech's Emily Christian.

Eckerle received tournament most valuable player honors after scoring 29 points in Saturday's title contest, including 16 points in the two overtime sessions.