Ticket to the ball

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Saturday proved to be historic for Southeast Missouri State.

For the first time, the university's women's basketball team is headed to the NCAA Division I tournament, courtesy of a 71-50 win over Tennessee Tech in the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

The program's Division II tradition was a rich one, with numerous appearances in the national tournament and a second-place finish in 1990-1991 -- the final season before the school made the move to Division I and joined the OVC.

But never before had Southeast gained an NCAA Division I tournament berth -- until Saturday.

Southeast came close last year, losing in double-overtime to Eastern Kentucky in the OVC tournament finals, after the Colonels hit a tying shot at the regulation buzzer.

Saturday, at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, the Redhawks left no doubt as they outscored Tennessee Tech 40-18 in the second half to turn a close game into a rout.

"What an accomplishment for our young ladies," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said. "I am so proud of them."

The victory was the Redhawks' 16th in their last 17 games. They also won a share of their first-ever OVC regular-season title this year -- but Saturday's triumph secured their initial spot in the "Big Dance" of the NCAA Division I tournament.

"This is absolutely awesome," said Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman, who attended Friday's semifinals and Saturday's final, along with Southeast president Ken Dobbins and about 200 Southeast supporters, including the school's band, cheerleaders and dance squad.

Added Kaverman, "What an awesome performance by the women. It's great for the university. It's been an up and down week, and this is so much more enjoyable."

Kaverman was referring to the university's Wednesday announcement that the contract of men's basketball coach Gary Garner would not be extended.

Garner had previously led Southeast to its only NCAA Division I tournament berth in basketball, during the 1999-2000 season -- until Saturday's breakthrough performance by the women.

Now the Redhawks will await next Sunday's NCAA selections, when they find out who and where they will play in the tournament.