Redhawks seek 12th straight victory

~ Southeast women expect a difficult game with visiting Eastern Kentucky.

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team is coming off its most lopsided Ohio Valley Conference win of the season.

But the Redhawks don't expect a repeat tonight when Eastern Kentucky visits the Show Me Center for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

"They have a very athletic, good team," senior guard Ashley Lovelady said. "It will be a tough game."

That's generally what the Redhawks have had this season, even though they continue to lead the OVC as they chase their third straight regular-season championship.

Southeast (20-6, 15-2) has had 12 OVC games decided by 10 points or less. The Redhawks are 11-1 in those contests.

A rare exception was Wednesday's 67-47 home victory over Austin Peay that snapped a string of eight straight Southeast games decided by 10 points or less.

Southeast coach John Ishee expects a major test from EKU (13-10, 8-8) as the Redhawks shoot for their 12th straight victory. Southeast has won 16 of its last 17 games.

"They are probably as deep and talented offensively as any team in the conference," Ishee said.

The Colonels, in fifth place in the OVC, are the conference's highest-scoring team with an average of 74.5 points per game.

EKU features three of the league's top 11 scorers in senior guards Crystal Jones (15 ppg), Ashley Cazee (14.5) and Niki Avery (13.3).

Jones ranks eighth, with Cazee ninth and Avery 11th.

The Colonels lead the league in 3-point field-goal percentage at 38.8, with Jones first (54.9, 28-of-51) and Avery fourth (44.6, 74-of-166).

"They've got a lot of weapons, some very good senior guards and some solid inside players," Ishee said.

Southeast, which leads the OVC in scoring defense (57.1 ppg), was able to slow EKU down enough to prevail 72-67 on Feb. 9 in Richmond, Ky.

The Redhawks pulled that game out despite playing without senior center Missy Whitney, their top scorer and rebounder who missed the contest with an elbow injury.

Even with Whitney back, the Redhawks don't expect things to be much easier.

"They're going to be a handful," junior forward Crysta Glenn said.

After tonight's game, Southeast finishes its regular-season with two more home games next week, against Samford and Jacksonville State.

The Redhawks are also assured of hosting a first-round OVC tournament contest.

"We just need to stay focused and keep taking care of business," Ishee said.