Otahks search for 4th straight victory

After a brutal early schedule, Southeast Missouri State University's women have finally climbed above the .500 mark for the first time this season -- thanks to a three-game winning streak.

But coach B.J. Smith knows things won't get any easier for the Otahkians (4-3) over the next couple of weeks, beginning with tonight's game against Lipscomb (2-3) in Nashville, Tenn.

After tonight's contest, the Otahkians play at highly regarded Southwest Missouri Tuesday night and face nationally ranked Kansas State in the Texas-San Antonio Tournament on Dec. 30.

Although Lipscomb isn't considered in the class of either Southwest Missouri or Kansas State -- or some of the other powerhouse teams Southeast played earlier, like Oklahoma and Utah -- Smith doesn't expect the Bisons to be a pushover. But with the Bears and Wildcats looming in their next two games, Smith figures the Otahkians need a win tonight.

"We need to win that game because it's not going to get any easier," Smith said. "But Lipscomb is good. They're not great, but they're very capable of beating us if we don't play well."

Lipscomb has lost three of its last four games -- including 72-65 at Xavier on Thursday -- but what caught Smith's eye was the Bisons' 74-71 home victory on Sunday over Mississippi of the Southeastern Conference. Lipscomb trailed the Rebels by 17 points in the second half before rallying.

"Any time you beat a an SEC team, it's big," said Smith, whose first Southeast squad last season routed the Bisons 71-50 at the Show Me Center. "They have the ability to beat really good teams."

Added Smith, "They try to capitalize on your mistakes and try not to make that many of their own. They're just a solid team. We're going to have to play well."