JOHNSON, CORDER TOP FT SHOOTERS IN NATION; SE BOASTS BEST FREE-THROW PERFORMERS IN DIV. I

Two Southeast Missouri State University basketball players who didn't grow up all that far apart are the nation's leading NCAA Division I free-throw shooters.

Cory Johnson, a senior guard, is shooting 93.9 percent from the charity stripe to rank first among all Division I men's players.

Paula Corder, a junior guard/forward, is shooting 91.7 percent from the foul line to top the list of all Division I women's players.

Johnson, a former standout at Clearwater High School, has connected on 46 of 49 free throws this season, including 30 of 31 in Ohio Valley Conference play. He was also the OVC's top foul shooter last season.

Johnson is also one of the OVC's top 3-point shooters, ranking second at 42 percent. He's averaging 11.3 points per game to tie for second on the squad in that department.

"Cory is just a tremendous shooter," said Southeast men's coach Gary Garner. "When he goes up to the free-throw line, it's pretty much automatic. You're surprised when he misses one."

Corder, a former star at Ellington High School, has hit 77 of 84 free throws, including 50 of 53 in OVC play. The transfer from Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff is second in the OVC in 3-point shooting at 41 percent and leads the Otahkians in scoring with 14.2 points per game.

"Paula is a great, great shooter," said Southeast women's coach Ed Arnzen. "He's been a great free-throw shooter all her life. She won a national (free-throw) contest when she was young and was a great foul shooter in junior college. You're surprised when she even hits the rim."

Johnson's partner in the Southeast backcourt, senior Kahn Cotton, ranks 17th nationally in free-throw shooting with 87.2 percent. Cotton is 41-for-47 from the line and has hit his last 17 attempts.

Southeast senior center Bud Eley continues to rank high in several NCAA Division I statistical categories. Eley is 11th in field-goal percentage (60.7), 12th in rebounding (10.2 per game) and 13th in blocked shots (2.9 per game).

Another member of the Southeast women's team, freshman center Pam Iversen, is right behind Corder in free-throw shooting at 90.9 percent but she has not made enough to qualify in the national statistics.