Redhawks try to boost hopes for OVC tourney contest

The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team can take another big step toward making the Ohio Valley Conference tournament tonight.

But lose to Murray State in the 7 p.m. tipoff at the Show Me Center and things could get shaky for the Redhawks.

"It's a really big game for both teams," Southeast coach John Ishee said.

Southeast (8-16, 4-10) is seventh in the 10-team OVC with four conference games left. The top eight finishers qualify for the OVC tournament.

MSU (7-18, 3-11) is tied for eighth with Tennessee State, both squads trailing Southeast by one game. Eastern Kentucky is another half-game back.

The Redhawks have beaten MSU -- on Jan. 22 in Murray, Ky. -- have won at home over Tennessee State and have swept the season series from Eastern Kentucky.

Winning tonight would give Southeast the season sweep of MSU, meaning it would hold the tie-breaker over two of the three squads it needs to finish ahead of in order to make the tournament.

"If we get this one it would put us in pretty good shape," Ishee said. "But it's not going to be easy."

Especially after the Racers revived their tournament hopes Saturday by beating Jacksonville State.

"They'll come in here with a lot of confidence," Ishee said.

Southeast's 48-44 victory at MSU last month marked the Redhawks' first true road win of the season. They have since posted another road victory over Eastern Kentucky.

The Redhawks rode a strong defensive performance to the earlier win over MSU, something they'll likely need to repeat tonight.

Southeast averages a league-low 52.8 points per game but ranks among the OVC's top defensive squads.

Southeast fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game in support of breast cancer awareness.

Following tonight's contest, the Redhawks close out their home schedule Saturday against Tennessee-Martin. They finish OVC play next week at Tennessee State and Austin Peay.

SIUE game rescheduled

Southeast will play at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The contest originally was scheduled for Feb. 1 but postponed because of bad weather. SIUE joins the OVC next year.