OTAHKS PICK UP MOMENTUM

After starting a big four-game homestand with a loss, Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball coach Ed Arnzen knew the Otahkians would need to begin stringing together a few victories in a hurry.

So far, so good for the Otahkians, who now own only their second two-game winning streak of the season, thanks to Thursday night's 85-62 triumph over Morehead State at the Show Me Center.

The Otahkians, who pulled away in the second half to keep MSU winless in Ohio Valley Conference play, improved to 7-10 overall and 4-5 in the OVC as they inched closer to the .500 mark in league action.

MSU fell to 1-17 overall and 0-9 in the conference.

"Hopefully we've got something going now," said Arnzen. "We've won two in a row and we really had a good second half tonight."

Paula Corder-King led the Otahkians offensively with 18 points as she hit four of nine 3-pointers. Pam Iversen hit seven of 13 field-goal attempts and scored 17 points while also recording three assists and three steals. Freshman Lori Chase added 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench. She also blocked three shots.

Four other players scored at least seven points as the Otahkians benefited from a balanced attack. Regan Hughston had nine points and matched Chase for team-high rebounding honors with seven while also adding three assists.

Freshman LaShelle Porter scored nine points, freshman Kristy Roherty hit two of four 3-pointers and had eight points, and Moneik Campbell contributed seven points, three assists and three steals. Liea Toedte had a team-high four assists.

Arnzen credited point guards Campbell and Porter with helping the Otahkians speed up the game in the second half.

"I thought Moneik and LaShelle put together the best game we've had at that position," Arnzen said. "They really speeded up the game."

Said Campbell of the Otahkians' performance, "I think we're finally meshing together as a team. We need to get a winning streak going and this is a good start."

Vette Robinson had a big game for MSU, scoring 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Latasha Gales added 15 points.

Unlike Saturday's game against Eastern Illinois, which was tied with two minutes left before Southeast pulled away down the stretch, Thursday's contest was close for only a half.

MSU actually led by nine points early in the first half as a 13-2 run helped the Lady Eagles open up an 18-9 advantage.

Southeast pulled into a 22-22 tie before MSU went back up by five at 27-22.

Finally, with 2:11 left in the opening half, the Otahkians went ahead for good as Chase hit one of two free throws for a 30-29 Southeast lead.

The Otahkians carried a 37-34 advantage into halftime, the Lady Eagles that close primarily because they hit six of 13 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes.

"I thought they opened up about as hot as they could be," said Arnzen of the Lady Eagles. "They hit six of 13 3-pointers the first half and I didn't think they could keep that up in the second half."

It was Southeast that got hot in the second half as the Otahkians shot 50 percent from the field (15 of 30) over the final 20 minutes.

Southeast quickly pulled away in the second half. Corder's basket and three Campbell free throws made it 42-34, then Iversen's follow shot opened up a 46-36 Otahkian lead.

After MSU pulled to within 47-40, the Otahkians used a 10-0 run to take total control. The spurt was spearheaded by Porter, whose consecutive steals and baskets made it 51-40.