Otahkians roll past Goldstar

The Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball team opened its 2001-02 schedule with a 93-60 exhibition victory over Goldstar Basketball Friday night at the Show Me Center.

Leading just 42-38 at the half, Southeast used a 51-point second half explosion to pull away for a comfortable victory. After a tie early in the second half, the Otahkians went on a 38-10 run.

Five Otahkians scored in double figures and all 12 players on the roster found the scoring column. Freshman center Tanya Guell led the way for Southeast with 14 points. Veronica Benson finished with 12, Tisa Thomas and Candice Coffey had 11 points apiece and Christine Rathke tallied 10.

Southeast held a 51-30 rebounding advantage with Lori Chase grabbing a game-high 13.

Southeast connected on 35 of 68 shots from the field for 52.8 percent while Goldstar managed to hit on just 20 of 60 shots (33 percent).

The exhibition was one of two Southeast will play before opening the regular season. The Otahkians will play SIU-Edwardsville next Friday in its final exhibition contest.

Southeast's women filled out its coaching staff Friday with the hiring of assistant Tameka Randle, who will fill the third assistant spot on the staff.

A 2000 graduate of Eastern Michigan, Randle was a four-year player at the school.

"We are very happy to have Tameka as an assistant coach," said Southeast head coach Ed Arnzen. "She was an excellent post player at Eastern Michigan and we think she will help out our post a lot."