NO. 16-RANKED OTAHKIANS MEET `CAPABLE' LADY LIONS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team has finally made the national rankings.

That became official Tuesday afternoon when the NCAA Division II poll was released. The Otahkians, 18-3 and winners of eight straight games, checked in at the No. 16 slot.

"We're really happy about that," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "We felt like maybe we should have been ranked earlier but it's nice that we're finally up there. Now we have to make sure we keep playing well to justify that ranking."

The Otahkians can begin to make the national pollsters look good tonight when they take on Missouri Southern at the Show Me Center. The Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association contest is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Southeast will also be home Saturday as Northeast Missouri State comes to Cape Girardeau for another 5:30 p.m. MIAA matchup.

"This is a really big week for us," said Arnzen. "We can get into the 20 victory column this week and getting 20 with two weeks left in the regular season would be nice."

The Otahkians began the week by crushing Missouri Baptist 94-44 Monday night in a non-conference game. Now it's back to the MIAA wars for the Otahks.

"These next two games are very important for us in the conference race," Arnzen said. "We have to keep winning."

Southeast is 8-2 in the MIAA and tied for second place with Missouri-Rolla. Both clubs trail league-leading Central Missouri State (10-0) by two games.

Missouri Southern enters tonight's contest 10-11 overall and 3-7 in the MIAA. Although their record is not impressive, Arnzen believes the Lady Lions are dangerous.

"They're a capable enough club," he said. "They're the type of team that can come in and trip you up if you take them lightly. We have to make sure that doesn't happen."

The Lady Lions are led by guard Terri Haynes, who averages 18.5 points per game and is a threat from 3-point range. Center Caryn Schumaker scores 11.2 points a contest while forward Renee Weih averages 10.3.

"Haynes is a very capable 3-point shooter and Schumaker can hurt you inside," said Arnzen.

Southeast defeated Missouri Southern 64-51 earlier this season in Joplin.