Nixon gives Redhawks surprising spark with 3-point shooting

~ The freshman ranks third in the conference in 3-point percentage.

Tarina Nixon displayed an almost embarrassed look when she was recently asked about her impressive 3-point shooting.

"The funny thing is, I never really even shot 3-pointers in high school," Southeast Missouri State's personable freshman guard said. "I probably only took a few my whole career."

You couldn't tell that by the way Nixon has been draining long-range shots during her rookie season for the Redhawks (5-5), who visit East Tennessee State (5-3) today in a 7 p.m. nonconference matchup.

Nixon ranks third in the Ohio Valley Conference in 3-point field-goal percentage at 53.1 (17 of 32). She has been particularly deadly in her last two games, going a combined eight for 11 from beyond the arc.

"Tarina is really shooting the ball well," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said.

Nixon, who has started Southeast's past six games after coming off the bench in the first four, is tied for fourth on the Redhawks' in scoring with eight points per contest.

The 5-foot-6 Nixon was impressive during last week's two-game OVC road trip to Alabama. First she had a season high 17 points in a loss at Samford, then bettered that with 21 points during a win at Jacksonville State.

"She is playing very well for us overall, especially the last few games," Smith said. "She's a good freshman, and she's only going to get better."

Nixon has been shining despite still not being quite at 100 percent. She missed a considerable amount of preseason practice with a knee injury.

"Tarina didn't really practice that much because of the knee, which probably held her back some at the start of the season, and I don't think the knee is totally healthy yet," Smith said.

Said Nixon: "It still gets sore some, but it's getting a lot better. I know having a few days off [for the Christmas break] was good."

Nixon is from Gilbert, Ariz., which is near Phoenix. She was the most valuable player in the state championship game as a senior, helping her high school team capture Arizona's large class championship.

"She was really a good player in high school and she had some pretty big programs after her," Smith said. "We felt like she would really be able to help us as a freshman."

ETSU a solid test

The Redhawks, who have been up and down so far this season, should receive a test from East Tennessee State as they try to pick up a win before resuming OVC play Monday night at home against defending champion Eastern Kentucky.

ETSU is 5-3, including a win over Eastern Kentucky, although the Buccaneers have lost two straight.

The Buccaneers are led by 5-5 senior guard B.J. Banjo, who is averaging 18.7 points per game. Candace Gibson, a 6-foot senior forward, averages 13.8 points and 9.3 rebounds.

"They're a good team," Smith said. "We'll have to play well to win."

Southeast, 2-2 in OVC play, is led by senior center Tatiana Conceicao (19.9 ppg). Senior point guard Wanika Owsley leads the OVC in assists with 57.