MTSU POSTS 95067 WIN OVER OTAHKS

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Middle Tennessee State University threw an 11-0 first-half run at Southeast Missouri and went on to defeat the Otahkian 95-67 in Ohio Valley Conference action Saturday.

With the loss, Southeast fell to 7-14 overall and 5-9 in the OVC. MTSU upped its mark to 12-9 and 8-5 in the OVC.

MTSU led only 14-12 after the first seven minutes of the game, but then went on its run, building a 25-12 lead with 10:31 left in the half.

Jamie Koester hit a 3-point basket to pull the Otahkians within 27-17 with 5:28 left in the half, but the Otahkians never got any closer.

MTSU widened its lead to 45-26 by halftime and opened the second half with an 11-2 spurt for a 56-28 advantage.

Koester finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds for Southeast. It was the fifth time this season the senior finished with a double-double.

"Hats off to Jamie," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "I'm going to miss her next year. She plays hard every night no matter what the score."

Rusty Sowers was the only other Otahkian in double figures as she finished with 14 points.

Conversely, MTSU saw five players break into double-figures, led by Kelly Chastain's 17 points. Bama Burrell and Joanne Aluka both finished with 14 points and Cortney Neeley and Carlita Elder each netted 10.

For the game, the Lady Raiders shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field. Southeast shot 42 percent from the field. Southeast held a 33-30 rebounding edge, but committed 23 turnovers to MTSU's 14.

Southeast returns to action Monday night when it visit Tennessee Tech.