COLLEGE BASKETBALL: OTAHKIANS PASS FIRST ROAD TEST WITH FLYING COLORS OVER UMKC

KANSAS CITY -- Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen was anxious to see how his young Otahkians would respond to their first road test of the season.

Arnzen no doubt gave the Otahkians high marks following their surprisingly easy 65-48 victory over the University of Missouri-Kansas City Tuesday night.

Junior-college transfer Veronica Benson and freshman Tisa Thomas both had their second consecutive strong performances as the Otahkians improved their record to 2-0.

Benson, a shooting guard, scored a game-high 19 points on nine-for-11 shooting from the field. Thomas, a center, came off the bench to added 10 points as she hit five of nine shots.

No other Otahkian reached double figures but 10 of the 12 players who saw action scored. TIffany Melis and Jennifer Gries both added seven points off the bench. Freshman Christine Rathke led in assists with five while Pam Iversen grabbed nine rebounds as Southeast held a 49-30 advantage on the boards. Jenny Anderson and Kim Nicholson both had six rebounds.

UMKC (0-2) got 15 points from Juanita Fultz and 10 from Anna Niedbal. The Kangaroos used only six players.

Southeast grabbed a 31-25 halftime lead and outscored UMKC 34-23 over the final 20 minutes.

Now the Otahkians will get ready for a long road trip as they head to Fresno, Calif., after Thanksgiving for the four-team Fresno State Classic. Southeast will play New Mexico State Saturday in the opening round.