`REAL' OTAHKS READY FOR SOUTHERN

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The `real' Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball team will once again be on display beginning tonight against Missouri Southern in Joplin.

Southeast's Otahkians have been without the services of five players, including starters Jerri Wiley, Renee Rogliardi and Sarita Wesley. The five competed on the same team at the Show Me Games last summer and were declared ineligible for the first four Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association games.

"We're very happy to have the full squad back," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "It allows us to make changes that we were not able to make. We were very limited in things that we could do."

With the suspension, the Otahkians were limited to only eight players, five of them freshmen. But those eight came through with flying colors, winning two of the four games and coming extremely close to winning the others.

"I couldn't have asked any more than what those eight players gave us," said Arnzen. "The players accepted the challenge and gave a tremendous effort.

"It was just fun for me to be a part of that. They just played so hard all four games."

Southeast is 10-3 overall and 2-2 in the MIAA. Missouri Southern enters tonight's 5:30 p.m. conference game at 8-5 overall and 1-1 in the league.

The Lady Lions are one of the top three-point shooting teams in the MIAA, hitting just over 40 percent of their long-range attempts. Terri Haynes leads Missouri Southern's attack with 18.3 points per game, including nearly four three-point baskets per contest. Caryn Schumaker averages 11.3 points and 7.2 rebounds.

"They have Haynes and Schumaker back from last year," Arnzen said. "We play them on the road and that makes them a good opponent."

Missouri Southern is under the direction of first-year coach Scott Ballard, who came to Southern from Marshfield High School. Marshfield had the nation's longest prep winning streak under Ballard.

"Their offense has changed a little and they press more than last year," said Arnzen. "Their full court press is a concern to us."

The Otahkians will return home to host Missouri Western Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Western is struggling with a 3-10 record and no starter averaging in double figures.

"I'm looking forward to playing at home with our whole squad back," Arnzen said. "We need to put together a string. In order to have any chance at the conference title, we cannot afford another loss."

OTAHKIAN NOTES: Southeast has lost the services of sophomore Janet Miller, a former Cape Central High star. Miller has decided to concentrate on her studies and seek employment. Miller played in nine games this season, scoring 11 points. "We're sad to see her move on and wish her the best," said Arnzen.