Redhawks ready for inconsistent Gamecocks

As much as things seem to be falling into place for Southeast Missouri State's women, they realize now is not the time to ease off the throttle.

The Redhawks (11-6, 5-1), coming off romps past two of their biggest Ohio Valley Conference rivals and boasting a four-game winning streak, resume their homestand today when Jacksonville State (6-9, 3-3) visits the Show Me Center for a 5 p.m. tipoff.

"It's exciting the way we're playing, but we can't let up, we have to keep it going," junior guard Tiffanne Ryan said.

Added junior center Tatiana Conceicao, the OVC's leading scorer at 18.7 points per game who also ranks first in steals with 50: "We've been playing good, but every game in the conference is a tough one. and we have to concentrate on every game."

Coach B.J. Smith couldn't agree more with his players, who don't seem to be full of themselves despite mauling two-time defending OVC regular-season champion Austin Peay (84-52) and preseason league favorite Tennessee Tech (62-45) on the first two legs of a four-game homestand that ends Saturday.

Southeast enters play today tied for second place in the OVC with Eastern Kentucky. Both squads are just behind Tennessee Tech, which is 6-1 but has played one more game than the Redhawks and Colonels.

"It's great the way we're playing, but we can't let down. We have to keep getting better," Smith said. "We haven't done anything yet. We've put ourselves in a position to do something, but that's all we've done.

"If we don't win these two this week, then what we've done won't mean anything."

Smith is particularly wary of today's opponent. The Gamecocks from Alabama had an impressive debut season in the OVC last year, going 18-10 overall and 11-5 in conference play to finish third. Along the way they rolled past visiting Southeast 95-83 in the only meeting between the squads.

The Gamecocks were picked a solid second in this year's OVC preseason poll, but they have been inconsistent so far --although a stunning upset win over Auburn (10-8) of the Southeastern Conference demonstrates their ability.

Shanika Freeman, a 6-foot-1 senior forward who made first-team all-OVC last year after averaging 19.4 points and 10.2 rebounds, is averaging 15.9 and a league-leading 9.1 rebounds so far this season.

"They're at least as talented as anybody in the conference, and Freeman is as good as anybody in the league," Smith said. "They've been inconsistent, but they have all the parts, and at some point they're going to put the parts together. We just hope it's not against us.

"They beat Auburn, which is about all you have to know about how good they can be."

While the Redhawks, who were picked just fifth in the OVC's preseason poll, continue to lead the league in scoring -- they average 73.8 points per game -- their full-court, pressure defense has sparked their recent dominating performances.

Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech combined for 57 turnovers against Southeast and both shot less than 32 percent from the field. In conference games only, the Redhawks lead the league in scoring defense (60.3 ppg), field-goal percentage defense (.378) and turnovers forced (24.7).

Smith, in his third season at Southeast, believes this is his best defensive team yet -- partly because of its athleticism and partly because of its effort.

"We probably have more ability to do things defensively, and our effort is better. With our style of play, it all depends on effort, and consistent effort," Smith said. "We have really focused on defense more, and I think this team has bought into it more."