Otahkians anticipate a change of pace in St. Louis

After winning their last three games by an average of nearly 37 points, Southeast Missouri State University's women expect a tougher challenge this weekend.

That's fine with coach B.J. Smith, whose 5-2 Otahkians play today in the four-team Coca-Cola Billiken Classic hosted by St. Louis University.

"It should be a good tournament, with some strong teams, and that's what we need right now," Smith said. "Most of the games we've won, we've really walked through people and we need some battles before we start conference."

The Otahkians, who have won four straight, play their first-round game at 8 p.m. against Indiana State (4-1). St. Louis (6-3) and Gardner-Webb (1-6) square off at 6 p.m. The consolation game is at 6 p.m. Saturday, with the title contest at 8 p.m.

Smith expects Indiana State to be one of the better squads Southeast faces all season along with Wisconsin-Green Bay, which blistered the Otahkians 74-49 earlier in the year.

The Sycamores's only loss was 78-65 at Xavier. They blew out their other four opponents, with the closest margin of victory 18 points.

"Indiana State is having a really phenomenal year," Smith said. "They lost a competitive game to Xavier, which beat Tennessee last year. They're a very experienced team that runs their system really well.

"They're probably one of the top four or five teams we'll play. They won't be as good as Green Bay, but they're in the same realm. They should be an NCAA Tournament type team by the end of the year."

Indiana State is led by 5-foot-9 senior guard Kourtney Mennen, averaging 21.6 points per game and shooting 47.5 percent from 3-point range.

"They'll be a big challenge for us, but if we're consistent in what we do, we should be right in the game with them," Smith said.

If the Otahkians advance to the championship game, they'll likely meet St. Louis, coached by former Southeast player and graduate assistant coach Jill Pizzotti.

Pizzotti, in her eighth season at St. Louis, has steadily built the Billikens' program and this year's squad could perhaps be her best yet.

"They're a really experienced team and I know Jill feels like this will probably be her best team," Smith said.

Gardner-Webb appears to be the weakest team in the field, which would give the Otahkians a strong chance to win a tournament game even if they lose tonight.

"We really need to go at least 1-1 in the tournament and Gardner-Webb looks to be very average, but you can't take anybody for granted," Smith said. "And we're going in with the attitude that we can win the tournament, although Indiana State will be tough to beat."

Southeast features four players averaging in double figures: Lori Chase (14.4 ppg), Yashika Sidbury (14.3), Kenja White (11.9) and Carina Souza (11.3). Chase is shooting 56.4 percent from the field.

Point guard Sarah Costello, who has had two 11-assist games recently, averages 5.1 assists to go along with 8.9 points.

"I think we've been consistently improving, but we still have a long way to go," Smith said.

Following the tournament, the Otahkians play at defending national runner-up Oklahoma on Dec. 28. Then it will be on to the start of the Ohio Valley Conference schedule in early January.

"These last few games should really help us get ready for the conference," Smith said.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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