Otahks drop to 4-5 with loss at SMS

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team couldn't climb back from a 51-29 halftime deficit and fell to Southwest Missouri State University 87-59 Tuesday.

Carina Souza led the Otahkians with 16 points, while Yashika Sidbury had 15 and Chandra Brown and Kenja White had eight apiece.

Southeast was only 22-for-61 in field goals, but Otahkians coach B.J. Smith considered it an improvement.

"We shot the ball a lot better tonight," Smith said, "but we don't know how to get all the pistons firing at the same time."

Kari Koch led the Bears with 23 points. K.C. Cowgill had 13 and Stephanie Busbey had 10 for SMS (6-1), which made 53 percent of its two-point field goals.

Smith said he blames coaching for the Otahkian's struggles, which included a loss Saturday to Lipscomb.

"I'm more disappointed in myself than our players," Smith said. "The players want to win. It's the coaching right now."

Southeast (4-5) will play No. 11 Kansas State on Tuesday.