MURRAY STATE STAGES CHALLENGE FOR OTAHKS

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen says don't be fooled by Murray State's poor record.

The Lady Racers have played just about everybody close and will be a handful tonight when the squads square off in a 5:30 Ohio Valley Conference tipoff at the Show Me Center.

"Murray State has been playing everybody well," said Arnzen. "They have lost extremely close games to three of the top teams in the league (Middle Tennessee, Tennessee Tech and Tennessee-Martin)."

Southeast rebounded from a two-game losing streak with an impressive 76-56 win over Austin Peay Tuesday night. That contest started a big three-game OVC homestand for the Otahkians, who will entertain Tennessee-Martin Saturday night.

"It was good to be back at home and it was good to bounce back after the tough road trip," said Arnzen. "We needed a big win like that."

The Otahkians improved to 10-4 overall and 5-2 in OVC play, good for sole possession of third place. Southeast trails co-conference leaders Tennessee-Martin and Tennessee Tech, who are both 5-1, by one-half game.

Murray State, which beat Morehead State 74-69 Tuesday night, is 3-11 overall, 2-4 in OVC play.

"They've got a good team," Arnzen said. "Heather Bates, a junior-college transfer, is an excellent guard, and Bobbi Coltharp, who transferred from Western Kentucky a couple of years ago, is also a very good guard. Those two have been draining it from outside.

"They've also got some very good inside players, so it will be a big test for us."

Southeast got 18 points from Pam Iversen during its win over Austin Peay. Rusty Sowers scored 14 points, Paula Corder had 13 and Annie Struve added 10.

"This is a huge week for us and we were able to start it off with a nice win," said Arnzen. "But we've got two more big games left."

Following tonight's contest, the Otahkians will be facing one of the OVC's premier teams in Tennessee-Martin.

"They've got an excellent ballclub," Arnzen said. "But we can't look past Murray State or we'll be in for a long night. We have to come ready to play because I know Murray State will be."