OTAHKS POST 87-80 ROAD UPSET AT AUSTIN PEAY

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team finished off an impressive road trip to begin its Ohio Valley Conference schedule as the Otahkians downed host Austin Peay 87-80 Saturday afternoon.

The Otahkians, who had won at Tennessee State Thursday night, improved to 7-5 overall and 2-0 in the OVC. The Lady Governors, picked second in the OVC's preseason poll, fell to 6-8 overall and 2-1 in league play.

"It was a big win, especially when we were picked to finish fifth (in the OVC) and they're picked to finish second," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "I reminded our players after the game that this is exactly how our season started two years ago when we made our run to the OVC tournament.

"Going 2-0 this weekend gives us credibility. It sends a message to the three teams coming into the Show Me Center this next week."

A pair of first-year Southeast players -- junior guard Veronica Benson and freshman guard Christine Rathke -- both scored career highs of 20 points.

Benson, the Otahkians' leading scorer on the season with nearly 13 points per game, hit eight of 16 shots from the field. Rathke came off the bench to hit six of 10 from the floor and all seven of her free-throw attempts. She also had five assists while Benson chipped in with four assists.

Of Rathke, Arnzen said, "She's grown by leaps and bounds since she's joined our program. She may not start, but she's definitely one of our top kids. This week she started understanding her role and has gained much confidence."

Junior center Pam Iversen, the Otahkians' top returning player this season who has been slow to come around from knee surgery, came off the bench to score 15 points and grab seven rebounds. She hit six of eight shots.

Austin Peay got 24 points from Brooke Armistead and 17 from Gerlonda Hardin.

Both teams shot the ball well from the floor, the Otahkians hitting 49 percent (32 of 65) and the Lady Govs 53 percent (31 of 58). Southeast was particularly effective in the second half at 55 percent (17 of 31).

For the second straight game, the Otahkians faced an early double-figure deficit as Austin Peay led 35-25 with just under five minutes left in the first half.

But Southeast rallied for a 40-39 halftime advantage. The lead changed hands several times over the first 11-plus minutes of the final half before the Otahkians went ahead for good on Benson's basket that made it 58-57 with 8:39 remaining.

The Otahkians built their lead to nine points in the late going as they put away the Lady Govs.

Southeast will return to action Tuesday night when defending OVC champion and preseason favorite Tennessee Tech visits the Show Me Center for an early showdown of 2-0 league teams.

The Otahkians will also host OVC foes Murray State Thursday and Tennessee-Martin Saturday.