Smith still seeks first win vs. Govs

Since coach B.J. Smith took over the Southeast Missouri State University women's program three years ago, the team has played some important games against Austin Peay.

But, as Southeast (6-5) heads into today's 5:15 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference opener against Austin Peay (4-7) in Clarksville, Tenn., Smith hesitates to call what has transpired between the two programs a rivalry.

"I've had some people ask me if it's a rivalry," Smith said. "I told them it's not a rivalry until we can beat them."

The Governors are 6-0 against Southeast during Smith's first two years in Cape Girardeau, winning three times each season. Some of the games have been close and some have been lopsided, but Austin Peay has managed to come out on top every time.

"Some streaks are good. This isn't one of them," Smith said. "It would be big for us to get that monkey off our backs."

Last season, Austin Peay won 64-54 in Cape Girardeau, 68-65 in Clarksville and 72-55 in Nashville, Tenn., during the semifinals of the OVC Tournament.

Two years ago, the Govs beat Southeast by two points in Cape Girardeau, by 13 points in Clarksville and by 24 points in the championship game of the OVC Tournament.

"We've had some good games with them and some not so good games with them," Smith said.

Of course, Austin Peay has had success against most OVC teams in recent years. The two-time defending OVC regular-season champions have lost just two conference games during that time, and they have won the past four league tournament titles to earn four straight NCAA tournament berths.

"They've got a lot of tradition going," Smith said. "They've been to the NCAA tournament four straight years, and they feel really confident once they get in the conference."

At least Smith is comforted by the fact Southeast won't have to deal with Austin Peay star center Gerlonda Hardin, last season's OVC player of the year who has completed her eligibility.

"I'd say she's really the one that made plays in the games that were close against us. She was really good," Smith said. "But outside of Hardin, they really didn't lose anybody so they're still a good team, a lot better than their record."

Ashley Haynes, a 5-foot-10 junior forward, and 5-9 junior guard Kera Bergeron lead Austin Peay in scoring with 11.5 and 10.8 points per game, respectively. Both are returning starters, with Haynes a first-team all-OVC pick last year.

Robin Leslie, a 6-2 freshman center, adds 10.5 points per game.

For Southeast, junior center Tatiana Conceicao is the OVC's second-leading scorer at 18 points per game, and she also ranks second in steals with 31.

Senior forward Chandra Brown is the OVC's fifth-leading rebounder with 6.9 per game and is tied for second in blocked shots with 15. Junior forward Simone Jackson leads the league in field-goal shooting at 60 percent.

"Obviously we're going to be a lot better at the end of the year than we are now, but I feel like we're getting closer," said Smith, whose squad tops the OVC in scoring with 74.3 points per game.

Following today's game, Southeast remains on the road to face preseason OVC favorite Tennessee Tech (7-4) Saturday in Cookeville, Tenn. Smith knows these first two conference games are important but not crucial.

"I feel like both games are winnable for us," Smith said. "If we win them both, it sure puts us in good shape, but if we don't, it's not the end of the world, because not many teams are going to go to those two places and win.

"But you need to hold serve at home and then win some of these on the road, so this is a big opportunity for us."