Otahkians look to build streak with Samford

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach B.J. Smith says the Otahkians have a strong chance to string several victories together.

But to extend a modest two-game winning streak, the Otahkians need to pick up their first true road victory of the season today when they play Samford in a 2 p.m. tipoff in Birmingham, Ala.

The Otahkians (3-2) are coming off a 71-50 triumph over visiting Lipscomb (Tenn.) Thursday night.

After facing Samford (1-4) today, Southeast has more than a week off before hosting Division II Oakland City on Dec. 16, followed by the tough St. Louis Tournament Dec. 20 and 21.

"Hopefully we can win the next two and go to the tournament in St. Louis 5-2," Smith said. "I think we've got a good chance to do that, but it's a long road trip to Birmingham, and I know Samford won't be easy to beat on their home floor."

The Otahkians do have a victory away from home this year, but that is considered a neutral-site triumph when they beat Quinnipiac in the third-place game of the Wisconsin-Green Bay Tournament. They have lost their only two true road games, to Southwest Missouri and Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Samford, which will join the Ohio Valley Conference next year, is in its final season in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Last year, the Bulldogs went 8-21 overall and 6-12 in league play.

The Bulldogs, who lost to Southeast 90-41 last year in Cape Girardeau, have struggled offensively so far this season, averaging 54.2 points per game and shooting 34.1 percent from the field. Giovanni Price, a 6-foot junior, is Samford's only double-figure scorer (12.2 ppg).

"They're a team we should beat, but again, it's a road game for us so it'll be a test," Smith said.

Through five games of his first season at Southeast, Smith has been relatively satisfied, but he said a variety of injuries have hampered the Otahkians' progress.

"I think we've made strides lately, but it seems like every time we get somebody healthy, something else happens," Smith said. "But our big thing is to get healthy and be on the right page by January (when OVC play begins).

"Our big goal is to win the conference, win the conference tournament and be in the NCAA tournament. That's a realistic goal for this basketball team."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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