Otahkians face UTM at home

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University's Otahkians believe they learned plenty from Saturday's comeback victory over Murray State.

"We can't keep doing that and expect to win all the time," junior forward Carina Souza said. "The next time, we might not win."

Struggling early was no problem for the Otahkians Saturday as they erased an 18-point first-half deficit and posted an 82-69 win over Murray State at the Show Me Center.

Southeast coach B.J. Smith will look for a much better start tonight when the Otahkians (9-5, 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference) play Tennessee-Martin (5-10, 2-2) in a 7 p.m. tipoff at the Show Me Center.

"No matter who you play, you have to be ready," Smith said. "I hope Saturday's game shows us that. You can't take anybody for granted. You can't just show up."

Smith thinks Southeast took Murray State for granted at the outset Saturday night -- and the Otahkians almost paid the price.

The Otahkians trailed 36-18 late in the first half and were still behind 46-33 at halftime. But they dominated the second half.

"We just played better defense in the second half. That was the big key," Smith said. "In the first half, we just didn't guard anybody. They pretty much got any shot they wanted."

Tennessee-Martin won its first two OVC games, including a victory over perennial power Tennessee Tech, but has lost its last two conference games.

"They've played pretty well so far," Smith said. "I'm a big believer in learning when you win. I think what happened Saturday will show us that we have to come ready to play. Martin is good enough to beat us if we're not ready."