Otahks try to end three-game skid

Southeast Missouri State University's women face a rugged challenge this week as they try to stop a three-game losing streak.

The Otahkians (12-9 overall, 4-6 Ohio Valley Conference) will be on the road to face two of the OVC's top teams, playing Morehead State (15-5, 5-4) today and Eastern Kentucky (16-5, 8-2) Saturday in a pair of 4:30 p.m. tipoffs.

"It's going to be a very difficult trip because both Morehead and Eastern Kentucky have excellent teams," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen.

A victory over Morehead would appear to be vital if Southeast is to have a solid chance of finishing among the OVC's top four teams and earning a home date for the first round of the conference tournament.

Southeast is tied for fifth place with Murray State, 1 1/2 games behind Morehead. Since the Lady Eagles defeated the Otahkians earlier this season at the Show Me Center, a loss would give the Lady Eagles the tie-breaker edge if the squads would happen to tie for fourth place.

"It's a huge game for possibly still having a chance at getting a home game (in the OVC tourney)," Arnzen said.

Morehead, which has the OVC's No. 2 offense behind Eastern Kentucky, is led by 6-foot-2 senior center Tasha Gales, who ranks fifth in the league in both scoring (17.2 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg).

"She is just a tremendous athlete, hard to control once she gets the basketball," said Arnzen.

For Southeast, junior forward Lori Chase is closing in on a milestone as she needs 29 points to become the 13th Otahkian to score 1,000 career points. Senior center Pam Iversen accomplished that feat earlier this season.

Saturday's opponents, Eastern Kentucky, is tied for first place in the OVC at 8-2, just ahead of 8-3 Austin Peay.