Otahks make a run at No. 2 finish

While Southeast Missouri State University's women haven't nailed down a first-round Ohio Valley Conference Tournament home game, the Otahkians are focused on a bigger goal that has suddenly become attainable -- finishing second in the OVC.

The Otahkians (15-10, 9-5) will play their final two regular-season games on the road this week when they face Tennessee Tech (10-15, 5-9) at 5:30 p.m. today and Tennessee State (4-20, 2-12) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Otahkians are third in the nine-team OVC. The top four finishers play at home Tuesday in the first round of the conference tournament. A win either today or Saturday would clinch a tournament home game for Southeast, as would a loss by either Morehead State (9-6) or Tennessee-Martin (8-7), who each have one game remaining.

If the Otahkians win their final two games, they will finish in no worse than a second-place tie with Eastern Kentucky (10-5). And if the Colonels lose their final regular-season game today at conference champion Austin Peay (14-0), Southeast would have second place all to itself by winning out.

Eastern Kentucky's surprising loss to Murray State Monday has left the door open for the Otahkians.

"They've given us an opportunity to finish second," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said. "That's not what we wanted when the season started, but it's better than third.

"We need to make sure we play at home for the first round of the tournament. That's big. But second wouldn't be too bad."

Encouraging performance

Smith was encouraged by the Otahkians' most recent performance, although it was a loss. Southeast led Austin Peay virtually the entire way Saturday before the Govs rallied for an 80-78 win at the Show Me Center.

"It's the best game we've played in a while, maybe all year," Smith said. "We're close, but we have to keep getting better."

Tennessee Tech, sixth in the OVC, is having a down season not totally unexpected after the Eaglettes lost all five starters from last year. Tech has either won or shared the previous five OVC titles.

Still, the Eaglettes -- who feature several freshmen in their lineup -- can be dangerous, as they were on Feb. 1 when Southeast had to hold on for an 86-80 win at the Show Me Center.

"They're better than their record," Smith said. "They've played people tough, they just haven't been able to win those games. They played us tough last time."

Tennessee State, Saturday's opponent, is last in the OVC.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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