Otahkians stop SIU 73-64 for victory No. 1

Chandra Brown said she was given a message by coach B.J. Smith prior to Friday night's home opener for Southeast Missouri State University's Otahkians.

"I was told to go out and make layups. I was told to go out and get the job done," Brown said, smiling.

The message received loud and clear, Brown went out and scored a game-high 17 points as the Otahkians held off Southern Illinois 73-64 at the Show Me Center.

Southeast, which lost its season opener at nationally ranked Utah last week, improved to 1-1 and dropped the Salukis to 0-1.

Brown, a 6-foot-3 center who was a second-team junior-college All-American last year, hit seven of nine field-goal attempts -- displaying a variety of impressive moves around the basket -- and also grabbed eight rebounds.

Against Utah, Brown made three of seven shots and scored eight points.

"I wasn't being strong at Utah," Brown said. "I was stronger tonight."

Said Smith, "Chandra did a better job tonight getting to her spot. Utah had some strong girls and they were pushing her away from the basket. But she showed the kind of talent she has."

Another junior-college transfer, guard Sami Jo Cotton, hit three of six 3-pointers and scored 12 points.

Jessica Aebi, the Otahkians' lone freshman, added 11 points, and the guard made three late free throws to seal the victory. Aebi led the Otahkians with 12 points at Utah.

Guard Sarah Costello did not score but led the Otahkians in rebounds with nine and assists with five.

Danette Jones led SIU with 16 points and Katie Berwanger added 13.

After a slow start, Southeast opened up a 37-24 halftime lead thanks to 11 points by Brown.

The Otahkians pulled away in the second half and opened up a 70-51 advantage with just over five minutes remaining.

But SIU staged a furious comeback and pulled to within 70-64 on a Dana Pinkston 3-pointer with 1:10 remaining. Aebi then made three of four free throws to ice things.

"I think we did some things well and some things not so well," Cotton said. "I wish we could put two halves together, but we'll take it and run with it."

Southeast shot just 36.1 percent (22 of 61), struggled from the free-throw line at 57.9 percent (22 of 38) and had 18 turnovers. But the Otahkians forced 28 turnovers, which proved key.

"It wasn't pretty, but a win's a win," Smith said. "You have to give SIU credit. They did a good job of scrapping and hanging in there. But we'll take it."

The Otahkians play at 21st-ranked Oklahoma Monday night.