OTAHKS FIND COMFORTABLE VICTORY WAITING AT HOME

There was evidently nothing wrong with Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team that a little home cooking couldn't cure.

The Otahkians, saddled with their first two-game losing streak of the season after dropping both games of a recent road trip to Tennessee, bounced back Tuesday night.

Southeast, playing in front of its home fans at the Show Me Center, posted a 76-56 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Austin Peay.

The Otahkians, by beating the Lady Governors for the second time this season, improved to 10-4 overall and 5-2 in OVC play. Southeast remained one-half game out of first place in the league.

Austin Peay fell to 3-11 overall, 2-4 in the OVC.

"It was good to be back at home and it was good to bounce back after the tough road trip," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "I think our confidence was wavering, but a game like this should help us get it back.

"Any time you win a conference game, it's big. And the league has been so close this year, to win going away like we did and to knock somebody out was important."

Freshman center Pam Iversen paced the Otahkians offensively with 18 points. Getting loose all night for inside shots, Iversen was 9-for-17 from the field.

"It felt good to be back at home," she said with a smile. "We played more as a team and everybody was into it. Coach said we had to pick up our defense and play together."

Rusty Sowers added 14 points for the Otahkians while Paula Corder broke out of a recent slump by scoring 13 points as she hit three of five 3-pointers.

Annie Struve came off the bench to contribute 10 points and Sherry Cook came off the bench to dish out a team-high five assists.

Austin Peay's only double-figure scorer was Quinn Sullivan with 17 points.

The Lady Govs led briefly early before Southeast went ahead 12-7. The Otahkians later led 14-10 before the Lady Govs pulled into a 14-14 tie.

Sowers scored inside and Struve hit a 10-footer as the Otahkians went ahead 18-14 and they never looked back, although Southeast had trouble shaking Austin Peay for most of the first half.

After falling behind 26-18, Austin Peay pulled to within 29-28. But Corder hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute of the opening half to boost the Otahkians into a 35-28 lead at the intermission.

"The two 3-pointers Paula hit right before the half were really a big key," Arnzen said. "We never could shake them until then. After that, we seemed to have pretty good control, although we still could never totally shake them."

Sowers and Tajuana White scored baskets early in the second half as the Otahkians opened up a 39-28 lead.

Moneik Campbell's 3-pointer put Southeast on top 46-34 and White scored inside for a 50-34 bulge with just over 13 minutes left in the second half.

The Lady Govs managed to get as close as eight points at 55-47, but the Otahkians scored the next four points and coasted from there.

"We've got a big week and it's nice to start it with a win," said Iversen. "Hopefully we can get on a streak again."

Southeast will play the second contest of a three-game homestand Thursday when Murray State comes to the Show Me Center for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.

"It's a good way to start the big week," Arnzen. "But we've got two more tough ones left (including Saturday against Tennessee-Martin)."