SE BURNS NETS, BELMONT IN LAST HOME GAME

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team saved one of its best games of the season for its final home appearance.

The Otahkians blistered the nets in the second half to wipe out a four-point halftime deficit as they rolled past Belmont 87-72 Wednesday night in front of 475 fans at the Show Me Center.

Southeast, by winning the non-conference matchup, ended a five-game losing streak and improved to 9-15. Belmont, located in Nashville, Tenn., fell to 18-7 and had an eight-game winning streak snapped.

"We were aggressive in the second half, which we weren't in the first half," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "We beat a good club, and it's nice to win again. I'm especially happy for our four seniors, that they were able to win their last home game.

"I thought all of our seniors really contributed. I'm proud of all of them."

Senior Paula Corder-King led all scorers with 23 points as she hit five of eight 3-point attempts.

"We've really been struggling, but tonight we just went out and had fun. That's when we play best," said Corder-King. "It really hasn't hit me that it's my last home game, but it's good to go out with a win."

The other seniors also did their part in aiding the victory.

Moneik Campbell scored eight points and had three assists; Liea Toedte hit all three of her field-goal attempts and scored six points; and Allison Iversen came off the bench to score eight points and block four shots.

Also scoring in double figures for Southeast were sophomore Regan Hughston with 12 points, freshman Lori Chase with 11 and freshman Kristy Roherty with 10.

Chase pulled down a game-high nine rebounds while Roherty, one of the Ohio Valley Conference's top 3-point shooters, hit two of four from long range.

Another Southeast freshman, LaShelle Porter, dished out a team-high five assists.

Candice Mitchell paced Belmont with 14 points. Jessica Matson, Sheika Taylor and Tara Montgomery all scored 11.

Southeast trailed by eight points late in the first half before pulling to within 35-31 at halftime.

The Otahkians then caught fire in the second half, hitting 59 percent of their shots (16 of 27) to outscore Belmont 56-37 and break the game open.

Two free throws by Corder-King with 17:55 left put the Otahkians ahead for good at 38-37. They never looked back after that.

Now Southeast will try to carry over what happened Wednesday into their last three regular-season games, all on the road.

Southeast will play at Eastern Illinois Saturday in a contest that could decide the eighth and final OVC postseason tournament berth.