OTAHKS FALL FLAT IN FINAL TUNEUP BEFORE OVC PLAY

Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen was looking for another strong performance Tuesday night before his team started Ohio Valley Conference play.

Instead, what Arnzen got was a real dud as visiting Arkansas-Little Rock came to the Show Me Center and spanked the Otahkians 76-55.

The Otahkians, who had a three-game winning streak snapped, fell to 5-5 as they prepare to open OVC play Thursday at Tennessee State.

UALR, in just its second season of play after reviving the program following an 11-year absence, improved to 5-6.

"This it not at all how we wanted to go into the start of our conference season," said a disappointed Arnzen. "We had a three-game winning streak and we lost a little momentum now. We just have to gather ourself.

"It was not a very good performance. I just think we were unmotivated tonight. It seemed like Arkansas-Little Rock came in and dictated what they wanted on offense and defense."

Southeast entered the game having outrebounded its opponents by an average of almost nine per contest. But the Trojans hammered the Otahkians on the boards by a 47-30 count.

"They pushed us and we didn't put a body on anybody and push back," Arnzen said.

Scealita Drennon scored 18 points and grabbed 11 points to lead the Trojans, who also got 13 points from Muci Harris. UALR shot a sizzling 59 percent from the field (32 of 54).

The Otahkians got 12 points from Lori Chase and 10 from freshman Tisa Thomas off the bench. Southeast shot just 27 percent (18 of 67).

After a tight opening 15 minutes that featured several lead changes, the Trojans took control late in the first half with a 9-0 run that wiped out a 23-21 Southeast lead.

The Trojans led 30-25 at halftime and broke the game wide open with a 16-6 run to begin the final 20 minutes.

Trailing 46-31, Southeast managed to pull within 49-40. But a 9-1 UALR spurt made it 58-41 and the rout was on.