OTAHKS TO FACE TOUGH OVC FOE IN UT-MARTIN

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team has already suffered narrow road defeats against two of the Ohio Valley Conference's top squads.

Today, the Otahkians get a crack at reversing that trend when they visit Tennessee-Martin for a 5:45 p.m. tipoff at Skyhawk Arena.

UTM finished in a three-way tie for first place in the OVC last year and the Skyhawks were picked to finish second in this season's preseason league poll.

While UTM has gotten off to somewhat of a slow start at 3-9 overall, the Skyhawks faced a brutal non-conference schedule. They're off to a 2-1 OVC start and Southeast coach Ed Arnzen knows they will be a prime contender for the league title.

"They played Tennessee, So Mississippi, Evansville, Long Beach State, Ohio State and Kentucky. That will soften a lot of people," said Arnzen. "They've got a good ballclub that hasn't found a way to win yet, but they will be a factor in this race. I think they're definitely a top four (league) team."

That's also what Southeast is expected to be as the Otahkians, who finished in fourth place in the OVC last year just one game behind the tri-champions were picked fourth in this season's preseason poll.

Like UTM, Southeast struggled against a brutal non-conference schedule. But the Otahkians have won three straight games to improve to 5-7 overall. And two consecutive OVC victories have evened Southeast's league record at 2-2.

"I believe we're playing with a lot more confidence now, which winning some games will do for you," said Arnzen, whose squad dropped four-point OVC decisions to Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee last month. "I've believed all along we'll be a factor in the (OVC) race. I feel like we have a good shot to beat everybody on our schedule. I know we won't win them all, but I don't think there is anybody we can't beat."

Beating the Skyhawks will be made more difficult by the fact two Southeast starters, point guard Moneik Campbell and shooting guard Liea Toedte, are questionable for today's game, Campbell with the flu and Toedte with a sprained ankle.

Toedte is Southeast's fourth-leading scorer at 6.9 points per game and she's second on the squad in assists with 34. Campbell, averaging 5.5 points, leads in assists with 39.

"Neither practiced Tuesday and Wednesday and we'll just have to wait and see (today)," said Arnzen. "I would be amazed if we get a lot of minutes out of either one. I'd be happy if they give us a little bit of time off the bench."

Arnzen has liked the way freshman point guard LaShelle Porter has performed while coming off the bench to spell Campbell. Porter is averaging 4.3 points per game and is third on the squad with 24 assists.

Another freshman, Kristy Roherty, has given the Otahkians solid minutes coming off the bench at shooting guard. Roherty is Southeast's fifth-leading scorer at 6.6 points per game and she's hit an impressive 14 of 29 3-pointers.

"We'd much rather have Moneik and Liea on the floor, but I think we've got some people who can do the job," Arnzen said.

Paula Corder-King leads the Otahkians offensively at 14.5 points per game while Pam Iversen is scoring 12.5 points and pulling down 7.6 rebounds a contest.

The Otahkians have also gotten strong play from freshman forward Lori Chase, who is third in scoring at 7.3 points per game.

UTM is led by senior forward Zabrina Harris, last year's OVC Player of the Year who is averaging 13.4 points per game. No other Skyhawk scores in double figures as UTM utilizes plenty of players.

"Harris is a real presence inside and they've got other very good players around her," said Arnzen. "They've got 14 players on the squad and they try to play almost everyone."