OTAHKIANS STOP BELMONT 81-72

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women basketball team climbed back to the .500 mark on Saturday with an 81-72 victory over Belmont.

Lori Chase led Southeast (4-4) with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Veronica Benson added 18 points, LaShelle Porter had 15 and Kristy Roherty had 10.

Southeast broke a 25-25 tie at the 6:05 mark of the first half when Benson sank a 3-pointer. Ahead 28-25, Southeast would never trail again. The Otahkians led 39-35 at halftime and pushed the lead to double figures in the second half. A basket by Tisa Thomas extended Southeast's lead to 55-45 with 12:13 remaining in the game. Belmont cut the deficit to 62-59 with 6:12 remaining but never got closer.

Both teams shot 40 percent from the field, but the Otahkians outscored Belmont (2-6) 20-6 at the free- throw line. Southeast sank 20 of 24 attempts for 79 percent. Belmont shot 54 percent from the line, sinking 6 of 11.

Miranda Jones scored 19 points to lead four Belmont players in double figures.