Otahks smooth rough edges in 81-65 victory

B.J. Smith, Southeast Missouri State University's first-year women's basketball coach, knows the Otahkians are far from a finished product.

But Smith came away from his team's second and final exhibition game feeling pretty good about things after Southeast dominated Division II Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 81-65 at the Show Me Center Friday night.

The Otahkians showed much more polish on both ends of the court than they had during last week's exhibition win over St. Louis Goldstar.

"We still have a long way to go but I feel better about where we are today than last week," Smith said. "We had a lot better effort."

Carina Souza, a 6-foot-1 junior forward who played for Smith at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, displayed some of the all-around skills that made her perhaps the Otahkians' top recruit. Souza hit seven of 11 shots and scored a team-high 16 points.

"Carina is still getting used to playing with everybody," Smith said. "She still hasn't had a really good game but she's a very good player who can do a lot of things."

Said Souza, "We were better than the first game. We had some moments where we actually did good things. But we still have to work on a lot of things."

Yashika Sidbury scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Lori Chase, one of only three returning players, had 10 points and eight rebounds.

"Our offense was a lot smoother tonight, especially in the first half," Chase said. "But we still have a lot to work on, our defense especially."

Kenja White was a fourth Otahkian in double figures as she had 10 points.

Miah Shelford added nine points. LaShelle Porter, like Chase a senior who started last year, had eight points, four assists and four steals.

SIU, which went 14-13 last year, received 23 points from former Michigan transfer Ruth Kipping, who is one of the top players in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Jessica Robert added 15 points.

The Otahkians clicked on offense early and opened up a quick 23-8 advantage. Although they could not keep up that pace, they held a comfortable lead the rest of the game.

"We showed some flashes, especially in the first half. We just have to be more consistent," Smith said. "Offensively, the first 10 minutes we were effective, then we got out of rhythm. Defensively, we were a lot more active."

Smith was apparently active on the sidelines as he was hit with the first technical foul of his Southeast career, although it won't officially go in the books because it came in an exhibition game.

"I thought I was telling him (the official) a joke. Maybe he didn't think it was funny," a smiling Smith said. "I don't normally get many technicals. I pick my spots with the officials."

All 10 Otahkians who were in uniform reached the scoring column. Two players have recently been sidelined with injuries. Louise McGoldrick had surgery Friday morning for a problem with her calves and Tanya Guell is out with a stress fracture. McGoldrick may or may not be back this year while Guell should miss about four weeks.

Now the Otahkians will get ready for a game that will actually count on their record as they open the season next Friday, hosting Henderson State.

"We're not where we want to be but we're getting closer," Smith said. "We just have to keep working to improve."