OTAHKIANS LOOK SHARPER IN LOSS TO EKU

The result was not what he wanted, but Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen could find no fault in his team's effort Thursday night.

Southeast gave Ohio Valley Conference power Eastern Kentucky fits for much of the game but the Lady Colonels were finally able to take charge and post a 91-82 victory at the Show Me Center.

EKU, which has clinched second place in the nine-team OVC, improved to 21-5 overall and 13-2 in league play.

The Otahkians, who are assured of finishing fourth in the OVC, fell to 13-12 overall and 8-7 in conference action.

"I thought we really had a good effort, an excellent effort," said Arnzen, whose squad was playing for the first time after Saturday's disheartening 70-47 home loss to last-place Eastern Illinois. "I was pleased with the way we bounced back after such a poor performance.

"You never like to lose, but you can at least hold your head high after a game like this."

Veronica Benson led the Otahkians offensively with 20 points as she hit eight of 10 shots from the field. LaShelle Porter had 17 points and Christine Rathke added 12.

EKU placed five players in double figures, led by Charlotte Sizemore with 18 points. Katie Kelly had 14, Zoey Artist added 13 and Candice Finley and Mikki Bond contributed 12 apiece.

In a game that was fast-paced and entertaining all the way through, the Otahkians scored the first five points, fell behind 20-13 but recovered to grab a 49-39 halftime lead after being ahead by 12 points late in the opening period.

The Lady Colonels quickly cut Southeast's lead to three points early in the second half. The Otahkians continued to hold on to slim margins until EKU finally pulled into a 65-65 tie on two Finley free throws with 9:01 remaining.

Sizemore drilled a 3-pointer with 8:15 left to put the Lady Colonels ahead for good at 68-65. A 3-pointer by Artist 30 seconds later made it 71-65 and completed a 10-0 EKU run.

Southeast pulled to within three at 81-78 on a Benson 3-pointer with 3:20 to go, but the Otahkians could get no closer as they scored just one point over the next three minutes.

Leading 83-78, EKU cinched the victory from the free-throw line as Kelly -- a freshman -- made eight of eight in the final 51 seconds.

"Down three, we missed a couple of shots that did everything but go in," Arnzen said. "But Eastern Kentucky is a very good ballclub and I thought we really played hard."