FINNS PIN LOSS ON OTAHKS

Maybe losing to the Finnish National Team in Tuesday night's exhibition game isn't such a bad thing after all for Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball squad.

Last year, the Otahkians beat Finland 79-68 but Southeast went on to post a dismal 5-21 regular-season record that included a last-place finish in the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference.

"Maybe it's a good omen," said Otahkian coach Ed Arnzen, trying to put some kind of positive spin on things after a disappointing 80-57 setback in front of 482 fans at the Show Me Center.

Added Arnzen, "Two years ago we lost to Finland and we had a pretty good year. Last year we beat them and we looked good, but it was about the only game we looked good. So maybe it is a good sign."

Arnzen found one more positive thing about the game.

"It doesn't count on the record," he said with a slight grin.

That's the main reason Arnzen was able to at least make a little light of his squad's performance.

But starting Saturday, there probably won't be many smiles from the head coach if his team plays that way again. Saturday is when things begin to count as Wisconsin-Milwaukee comes to the Show Me Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff to open the regular season.

"We'll have to play a lot better and be a lot sharper. We'll really have to work in practice," Arnzen said. "Defensively is where we'll really have to pick it up. I don't think we'll outscore people, but you can win with defense."

Some of the lowlights for the Otahkians Tuesday included:

Shooting just 31 percent from the field (15 of 49); committing 29 turnovers compared to only eight assists; being outrebounded 45-36; and allowing layup after layup in the second half as Finland shot 58 percent and outscored Southeast 48-24 to wipe out a 33-32 halftime deficit.

"I don't know where to begin," said Arnzen in assessing the performance. "I feel we got outworked. Our ballhandling wasn't what it should be. They pressed us and we didn't handle it very well. I think our guards are better than they showed.

"And our defense was not very good at all. They got so many layups, especially in the second half."

Probably the major bright spot for Southeast was the play of center Annie Struve, a 6-foot-1 redshirt freshman who sat out last season with a knee injury.

Arnzen has said all along that the center position is one of his team's big question marks but Struve looked solid with 12 points and eight rebounds, both team highs.

"I was encouraged by her play," said Arnzen.

Forward Tajuana White and guard Rusty Sowers, two junior-college transfers being counted on heavily by Arnzen, were next in scoring with eight points apiece. White also pulled down seven rebounds.

Despite not being pleased with what happened Tuesday, Arnzen is still looking for good things starting Saturday.

"I'm sure we're a lot better than we showed," he said.