SEMO WOMEN TAKE ON TENNESSEE STATE TONIGHT

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball squad, picked to finish last in the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference, will shoot for a 2-0 league start tonight when Tennessee State visits the Show Me Center.

The Otahkians (2-5 overall, 1-0 OVC) and TSU (3-2, 0-0 OVC) will square off in a 7 p.m. tipoff.

Southeast is coming off a huge and impressive 77-66 win over Austin Peay on Saturday night. The Otahkians fell behind 15-2 early but regrouped and won going away in the closing minutes.

"That was a huge win for us," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "It shows we can be a good basketball team when we play hard and play together."

The Otahkians will attempt to build on Saturday's victory tonight against a talented TSU squad that will be playing its conference opener.

TSU is led by guard Cari Hassell, who averages nearly 17 points per game.

"They're a good basketball team," Arnzen said. "It's going to take another strong effort by us. But if we play like we did against Austin Peay, I think we'll have a good chance."

Moneik Campbell paced the Otahkians against Austin Peay with 16 points. Four other players were in double figures: Dana Hawkins (12), Jamie Koester (11), Jaime Neff (11) and Tajuana White (10).

"We really kept our composure and didn't get down, even when we fell behind 15-2 early," said Arnzen. "I think that really says a lot for our ballclub."

Following tonight's game, the Otahkians will have a non-league home contest on Saturday, facing Oakland City.