Otahkians hoping to stay hot offensively

Southeast Missouri State University's Otahkians finally broke out of their season-long offensive doldrums Saturday night.

Now coach B.J. Smith wants to see if the Otahkians (6-7, 1-1 Ohio Valley Conference) can do it again today as they visit Eastern Illinois (3-10, 0-2) for a 5:15 p.m. tipoff in Charleston, Ill.

The Otahkians entered Saturday's home game against Tennessee Tech shooting 35.9 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from 3-point range as they were averaging just 62.4 points per contest. Their season-high point total was 85.

But Southeast exploded against the Eaglettes during a 102-90 overtime victory, shooting 64.8 percent, including 58.8 percent on 3-pointers.

"That's the way our offense should look," said a smiling Smith. "Now we have do it again."

The Otahkians have been inconsistent so far this season -- although they played a brutal nonconference schedule -- but senior point guard Sarah Costello thinks Saturday's performance could get them going.

"I think this is the start for us," said Costello, who expertly ran Southeast's fast break Saturday, scoring a career-high 21 points to go along with six assists and six rebounds.

Senior guard Kenja White, last season's OVC newcomer of the year, also had a big performance with a career-high 29 points. She used her quickness to drive for easy baskets and hit 12 of 16 shots.

"Kenja is back," said Costello, grinning.

Asked to explain her showing, White said, "Shot selection. I took better shots. As a team, I think we played together and we took what was open."

Junior guard Sami Jo Cotton, a junior-college transfer, also reached a Southeast career high as she scored 22 points and hit five of eight 3-pointers. In her last two games, Cotton has made nine of 14 from beyond the arc.

Even though Eastern Illinois finished seventh in the OVC last year and has struggled so far this season, Smith doesn't expect an easy time today as the Otahkians chase their first true road victory (they have won two games on neutral courts).

The Panthers played both Tennessee Tech and defending OVC champion Austin Peay tough in their first two conference games despite losing. They feature two particularly dangerous players in 6-foot-2 junior center Pam O'Conner and 5-10 senior guard Lauren Dailey.

O'Conner, who sat out last season as a medical redshirt, is averaging 16.1 points and shooting 55.5 percent.. She averaged 18 points two years ago.

Dailey is averaging 13.2 points and hitting 35 percent of her 3-pointers.

"They're good. They gave us fits last year in the conference tournament. O'Conner and Dailey are very good players," Smith said. "We can't have a letdown. We need to win this one."