Otahks wary of Samford

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Considering that Southeast Missouri State University won by 40 points at Samford last season, it might be human nature for the Ohtakians to take the Bulldogs lightly today.

But also considering that the struggling Otahkians (8-10, 3-4) have lost three straight conference games, it's doubtful they'll overlook the Bulldogs (8-10, 1-6) in the 4 p.m. tipoff.

"Right now, it doesn't matter who we play. We're in no position to look past anybody," Southeast coach B.J. Smith said. "We need a win really bad."

After losing at Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay last week, the Otahkians began their road trip to Alabama on Thursday with a 95-83 defeat at Jacksonville State.

"We're just really struggling right now," Smith said. "It's frustrating."

Although first-year OVC member Samford has struggled in conference play so far, Smith considers the Bulldogs improved from the squad that Southeast hammered 89-49 in a non-conference game last season.

Samford is the league's second-lowest scoring team with an average of just 59 points per game. But the Bulldogs are the conference's second-best 3-point shooting team at 35 percent.

Defensively, the Bulldogs lead the OVC in fewest points allowed with an average of 60 points per game.

Alex Munday, a 6-foot freshman, leads the Bulldogs in scoring at 14.4 points per game. Also in double figures is 5-9 sophomore Chelsee Insell (13.1 ppg). Insell is the OVC's top 3-point shooter at nearly 50 percent.

"We have to get going," Southeast senior forward Carina Souza said. "We need to win."

With their next three OVC games at the Show Me Center, the Otahkians know if they win today they'll at least return home with a bit of momentum.

"If we can win this game, then hopefully we can get a streak going," Smith said.