OTAHKS 'ROLL' INTO NASHVILLE

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team, the surprise of the Ohio Valley Conference so far, hopes to continue its roll against a non-league foe tonight.

The Otahkians will be in Nashville, Tenn., to take on Belmont in a 6 p.m. tipoff.

"It's a little bit unusual to have a (non-conference) game right in the middle of our conference season right now, but we have to approach it like any other game," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "We want to keep our momentum going and continue playing well."

The Otahkians are coming off a three-game homestand that saw them sweep a trio of OVC opponents last week -- including conference power Tennessee-Martin.

By virtue of those victories, Southeast improved to 12-4 overall and a first-place 7-2 in the OVC. The Otahkians, who won just 13 games in the past two seasons combined, were picked eighth out of 10 teams in the OVC's preseason poll.

"It feels good to be in first place and our players should be proud of what they've accomplished so far because they've really worked hard and they're truly playing together as a team," Arnzen said. "But we have to realize that there is still so much of the season left to be played. We really haven't accomplished anything yet."

To be sure, the Otahkians' lead in the OVC race is a tenuous one at best. Southeast is one-half game ahead of three teams that are tied for second place at 6-2: Tennessee-Martin, Middle Tennessee and Tennessee Tech.

Eastern Kentucky, at 5-3, is in fifth place but just 1 1/2 games out of first.

"It's an extremely balanced league this year, like I thought it probably would be," said Arnzen. "On a given night, any team can beat any other team. That's why you have to be ready to play every night and you can't overlook anybody."

Southeast has been able to protect its home court perfectly so far this season as the Otahkians are 9-0 at the Show Me Center, including 5-0 in league games.

The Otahkians' will have their next three OVC contests on the road, starting Saturday when they visit Eastern Illinois for a 4:45 p.m. game in Charleston.

Southeast will play at Eastern Kentucky Monday and then visit Morehead State Jan. 30.

"Our next few conference games will really be crucial," said Arnzen. "It's always difficult to win on the road, no matter who you're playing. We've got a difficult stretch of games coming up."

And that begins tonight against a solid Belmont squad that is 12-4 -- including a 10-0 home record -- and has already beaten three OVC teams this season: Austin Peay, Tennessee State and Murray State.

"They've got four starters back from a 20-10 last year and they've got good size," Arnzen said. "One of those losses last year was to us when we kind of snuck up on them. That won't happen this time."