OTAHKIANS STILL LOOKING FOR STORNG FINISH TO YEAR

Ed Arnzen has experienced all kinds of success as the women's basketball coach at Southeast Missouri State University, which is what makes this season even more frustrating.

Entering the 1996-97 campaign, Arnzen had compiled a sterling 267-111 record in 13 previous seasons with the Otahkians.

Even since moving up to the rugged NCAA Division I level in 1991, the Otahkians had been more than respectable, compiling just one losing record and finishing a best-ever third place in the Ohio Valley Conference last season.

But this year, the bottom has fallen out. With just three games left in the regular season, the Otahkians are 5-18 overall and a last-place 3-12 in the 10-team OVC. They're barely holding on by a thread in an attempt to finish among the OVC's top eight squads and qualify for the league's postseason tournament.

Still, Arnzen doesn't want anybody throwing in the towel -- especially since today's 5:30 p.m. contest against Middle Tennessee State will mark the final home game for two Southeast seniors.

Arnzen is hoping the Otahkians -- no matter what has happened this season -- can at least send Kim Palmer and Dawn Massani out in style on Senior Night at the Show Me Center.

"It's the last home game for our two seniors and we really would like to give them a victory," said Arnzen.

Palmer, a 6-foot center from Dongola, Ill., has etched herself into the Southeast record book. Her 89 career blocked shots place her third in that category and her 658 rebounds put her in ninth place. Palmer is averaging 10.7 points per game this year, second-best on the team.

Massani, a 5-4 point guard, is also in the Southeast record book. She has 322 career assists, which puts her eighth in that category.

"Both Kim and Dawn have contributed a lot for four years and they've started for most of three years," Arnzen said. "They've both also worked hard academically and have been solid citizens. We'll miss them."