Redhawks try to keep attention on Tigers

The Ohio Valley Conference regular-season women's basketball title could very well be decided when Southeast Missouri State visits Eastern Kentucky on Thursday.

But that's the last thing coach B.J. Smith wants his Redhawks (16-6, 10-1) thinking about entering today's 5 p.m. game with Tennessee State (7-15, 4-7) at the Show Me Center.

"If we start thinking about Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee State can come in here and beat us," Smith said.

Smith admitted that it might be hard for his players not to think ahead to what is shaping up as a titanic matchup at Eastern Kentucky, but he and his staff have been doing everything in their power for that not to happen.

Southeast and Eastern Kentucky are tied for the top spot in the OVC with five games remaining, and if both teams win today -- the Colonels play at Jacksonville State -- then sole possession of first place will be on the line when the squads square off in Richmond, Ky.

And since Southeast and Eastern Kentucky only play each other one time this season in the OVC's unbalanced schedule, the winner of Thursday's game would definitely have a major leg up on the championship.

"There's no question that's going to be a huge game," Smith said. "But it won't be nearly as big if we don't take care of business against Tennessee State."

Smith and his assistants have been preaching a one-game-at-a-time philosophy all season, and the players appear to have bought into it. They believe that's one of the main reasons the Redhawks have reeled off nine straight victories -- the program's most ever on the Division I level.

"We just take it one game at a time, and try to get better every game," senior forward Chandra Brown said. "We don't overlook anybody, because any team can beat you if you don't come ready to play."

Tennessee State has proven to be a dangerous opponent and also perhaps the OVC's most improved squad after finishing last in the league a year ago and not winning a conference game.

The Tigers, 1-25 overall and 0-16 in OVC play last year, were picked to again finish last according to a preseason poll of the league's coaches and sports information directors. But they're in a tie for sixth out of 11 teams and have posted two straight victories.

"They're really improved, and they gave us a very tough game down there," Smith said.

On Jan. 13 in Nashville, Tenn., the Tigers led Southeast by four points with under eight minutes left in the second half, but the Redhawks rallied for a 67-59 victory to mark by far their closest call during their current winning streak.

"They won't be an easy team to beat," Smith said.

Southeast continues to post impressive numbers, including a 74.7 points per game scoring average that ranked 12th in the most recent national statistics.

The Redhawks are also eighth in 3-pointers per game (7.4) and 18th in steals per game (11.9). Junior center Tatiana Conceicao ranks 41st nationally in scoring at 18.2 points per game.

"We've been playing well, but we need to keep getting better," Smith said. "And we really need to win this game."