'HAWKS EVIC OTAHKS FROM OVC's TOP SPOT

MARTIN, Tenn. -- It's never a good idea to fall behind by a wide margin on the road.

Southeast Missouri State University's basketball Otahkians did that Saturday and, despite a major comeback, it wound up costing them.

The Otahkians staged a spirited rally that wiped out a 14-point first-half deficit and resulted in a three-point second-half lead.

But host Tennessee-Martin used a 9-0 run to take control for good as the Skyhawks posted an 84-70 victory.

As a result, Southeast was bumped out of first place in the wild Ohio Valley Conference standings.

The Otahkians, with one regular-season contest remaining, fell all the way into fourth place -- one-half game behind UTM, Middle Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech, who are all tied for second.

Southeast is now 17-8 overall and 12-5 in OVC play. The three squads ahead of the Otahkians are all 12-4 in conference action with two games remaining.

The Otahkians can still win the OVC title -- but the Otahkians will need some major help from other sources in order to pull that off.

"When you dig an early hole against a good club at their place, it's tough to get that back," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "But we did and I was really proud of the effort our players gave.

"But falling behind by so much really takes it out of you. We took the lead but we just didn't have enough to sustain it."

Paula Corder had a huge game for the Otahkians -- and once again etched her name into the OVC record book in the process.

The junior transfer from Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff scored 25 points. She hit eight of 11 shots from the field, including five of eight 3-pointers.

And, by making all four of her free throws, Corder extended her string of consecutive foul shots made to 36, which ties the OVC record. Earlier in the year, Corder's nine 3-pointers in a game against Eastern Kentucky tied the OVC mark.

"Paula is just a great, great shooter," Arnzen said.

Rusty Sowers added 10 points while freshman Pam Iversen scored nine points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked six shots. The blocked shots tied a school record held by several players, including junior Allison Iversen, Pam's older sister.

Zabrina Harris paced the Skyhawks, who improved to 17-7 overall, with 20 points. Tamika Brown added 18 -- all coming in the first half. Nichole Lockridge came off the bench to score 16.

UTM started Saturday's contest on fire -- and Southeast paid the price.

The Skyhawks used an early barrage of 3-point baskets to put the Otahkians into a hole right off the bat. UTM scored the game's first six points and quickly opened up a 20-6 lead. The Skyhawks also led 25-11.

But Southeast would not let UTM totally run away. Two Moneik Campbell free throws with 12 seconds left before halftime pulled the Otahkians to within 41-34 at the intermission.

UTM hit seven of 13 3-point attempts in the first half and got a monster performance from Brown. Averaging less than 10 points per game, the guard drained five of seven 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.

Considering all that, Arnzen was probably relieved to be trailing by just seven points at the break.

"I felt good at the half," Arnzen said. "I felt like we'd have a shot and we came roaring back."

The Otahkians fell behind 45-36 early in the second half but then they stormed back.

Southeast used a 14-4 run, fueled by eight points from Corder, to take its first lead of the game on Tajuana White's basket with 14:03 left that made it 50-49.

After falling behind again, Southeast surged back in front on Corder's driving shot that made it 54-53 with 12:12 remaining. Campbell made two free throws less than 30 seconds later to give the Otahkians their biggest lead of the game at 56-53.

After UTM tied things, Southeast led again at 58-56 on Iversen's basket with 10:33 to play.

It was 60-60 when the Skyhawks hit the Otahkians with a 9-0 run that basically sealed Southeast's fate.

Lockridge, who scored 15 second-half points, scored inside at the 8:22 mark as the Skyhawks took the lead for good, 62-60.

It became 69-60 before Southeast finally got on the scoreboard again but the Otahkians could get no closer than 69-62 as UTM pulled away down the stretch.

"Brown is an excellent 3-pointer shooter and we just could not stop Lockridge in the second half," said Arnzen.

Southeast will close out the regular season next Saturday at home against Eastern Illinois. The following Tuesday, the Otahkians will host an OVC Tournament first-round game.