OTAHKS USE 2ND EFFORT ON TULSA

The beginning of the second half was the beginning of the end for the University of Tulsa Thursday night.

The Southeast Missouri State Otahkians (4-2) opened the second half with a 14-5 run over visiting Tulsa and coasted to an 80-63 win.

"It was a good win. We call this a blue-collar job," Southeast head coach Ed Arnzen said. "I didn't think we played especially well, particularly in the first half. We shot well, but I didn't think we played defense very well."

Despite the less-than-brilliant performance, the Otahkians led 36-35 at the intermission, thanks to the hot hand of senior guard Rusty Sowers -- who scored a team-high 20 points -- and a wild 3-point shot by senior guard/forward Sherry Cook with 3 seconds left on the clock.

Then came the second half.

Southeast limited Tulsa (1-6) to just one field goal in the first 6:40 of the second period.

"We didn't do anything special at halftime," Arnzen said. "Except we did a better job on both sides of the floor. Defensively, we went to a matchup zone in the second half and I think that caused some confusion."

Southeast hit an impressive 55 percent of its 3-point shots, including a 4-of-7 performance from Sowers.

"We gave them too many open looks from the outside," Tulsa head coach Marla Odom said.

Perhaps Tulsa could have pressured the Otahkians more, but it was forced to play without four injured post players, including Tulsa's leading scorer and rebounder Lila Osceola.

"There's no question that was a huge difference," Odom said of the missing junior forward. "The only two post players we have are the two that started the game.

Even without Osceola, Tulsa's anticipating defense came up with 14 steals.

"She's their best player," Arnzen said of Osceola, "but I thought with her on the sideline, it made them quicker. They did a good job on the boards even though they didn't have her in there."

With four Tulsa players out with injury, Arnzen and the Otahkians used depth to their advantage. All 12 Southeast players played, and only two registered more than 34 minutes. Four of Tulsa's eight players played at least 34 minutes.

"Tulsa may have gotten a little tired. We run more kids at them than what they have," Arnzen said.

Tulsa was tired in the closing minutes, but Odom said the exertion was the best she had seen from her team this year.

"It was our best effort as far as team orientation," Odom said. "I told the players that the two things I wanted to see tonight was us playing as a team and having fun playing basketball. For all practical purposes, we accomplished our goals. I'm glad to see that they're just as disappointed as I am about losing a game."

Tulsa junior guard Kasie Pittman scored a game-high 23 points.

Paula Corder scored 15 for Southeast, followed by Tajuana White with 13.