LADY SKYHAWKS SLIP BY SOUTHEAST WOMEN 61-60

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Even though the Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball team had already been eliminated from contention for a spot in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, losses don't get much tougher than what happened here Thursday.

The Otahkians, playing their next to last game of the season, appeared to have firm control against Tennessee-Martin leading 58-51 with nearly three minutes to play.

But the Skyhawks took advantage of numerous Southeast blunders down the stretch and used a late 10-0 run to claim a stunning 61-60 victory.

Southeast, having lost its fifth straight game, fell to 5-20 overall and 3-14 in OVC play and the Otahkians are assured of finishing last in the 10-team league.

UTM improved to 8-17 overall and 7-10 in OVC play.

"It's an extremely tough loss," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "We missed a wide-open layup late and we had some turnovers. I guess that's kind of the way the season's gone.

"But before the game I asked them to play hard, and play with pride, and I thought they did that."

Jamie Koester led the Otahkians with 22 points while freshman Moneik Campbell added 15.

Zabrina Harris paced the Skyhawks with 13 points.

At the half, Southeast led 35-29 and a Kim Palmer basket put the Otahkians ahead 58-51 with 3:10 left.

But the Otahkians then went more than three minutes without a point. After a Southeast turnover, Tiffany Wright hit a 3-pointer with 59 seconds left to pull UTM to within 58-57. Then after an Otahkian free throw, Wright hit another 3-pointer with 23 seconds remaining as the Skyhawks went up 60-58.

They never trailed again.