Otahkians hit the road to take on UT-Martin

Southeast Missouri State University's women are closing in on clinching a home game for the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament while Tennessee-Martin is trying to stay in the hunt for the same goal.

Tonight, those squads square off in an OVC contest in Martin, Tenn. The tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Otahkians (15-8, 9-3 OVC) solidified their hold on third place in the conference with Saturday's 62-53 victory at Murray State.

UTM (9-14, 6-6) is tied for fourth place following Saturday's 62-58 triumph over Eastern Illinois.

The top four finishers in the nine-team league earn first-round OVC Tournament home games.

"We want to keep winning and finish as high as we can, and of course we have to make sure we get that first-round home game," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said.

Southeast defeated the Skyhawks 70-49 on Jan. 20 in Cape Girardeau but the Otahkians led by just one point at halftime. Smith expects a similar struggle tonight.

"Everybody I've talked to says how hard it is to win there," he said. "And they have a talented team, so I expect a tough game."

The Otahkians struggled much of the way against last-place Murray State Saturday before finally ending the Racers' upset hopes.