OTAHKIANS OPEN 2ND HALF SLATE

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen considers tonight's game against Oakland City University a must-win proposition for the Otahkians.

The 1-5 Otahkians, idle since Dec. 12, take on the Division II Mighty Oaks in a 7:30 tipoff at the Show Me Center.

"We've struggled the first semester and we start conference play this weekend," said Arnzen. "We need to get going and get some momentum heading into the weekend. It's a must-win game for us."

While the Otahkians should be favored to win tonight's game, they can't afford to take the Mighty Oaks lightly. After all, in the season opener, Division II Christian Brothers stunned Southeast 73-57 at the Show Me Center.

"They're good enough if we don't come out and play," said Arnzen of Oakland City. "They've got a 6-foot-2 player and some guards who can shoot.

"We haven't played well. We sure can't take anybody lightly."

The Otahkians were hurt by turnovers and poor shooting through the first six games.

"We haven't been sound -- that's the biggest thing," Arnzen said. "We've had too many turnovers and we haven't shot well.

"But the good thing about basketball is you play a lot of games. We'll approach it like we're starting a new season."

Following tonight's game, the Otahkians play defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Austin Peay Saturday afternoon.