SMS run delivers Otahkians first loss

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --A career-high 30 points from Southwest Missouri's Jenni Lingor helped the Lady Bears avoid the upset with a nine-point win Tuesday over Southeast Missouri State University.

Southeast stayed close throughout the game, but with an 18-2 run midway through the second half SMS broke out of a 60-60 tie and held off a late surge to win 85-76.

Southeast coach B.J. Smith said his team played a strong game in a tough place to play.

"I thought we battled," he said. "We hung in there."

Southeast's pressure defense had Southwest making bad choices and forced several early turnovers. Southeast (1-1) took its biggest lead at 15-12 early before SMS (1-2)recovered and hit its outside shots.

While SMS pushed the lead to as much as nine points in the first half, Southeast would not go away and went into halftime trailing by only three. Southeast stayed close in the first half with the help of strong pressure defense and seven three-pointers.

Early on in the second half Southeast and SMS traded baskets with the Lady Bears continuing to keep Southeast at arms length. Southeast climbed back and tied the game twice in the second half, first at 50, then again at 60.

With the score tied at 60 though, the Lady Bears went on a big run that saw Southwest up by 16 with less than 10 minutes to play. Southeast kept battling, and got the lead under 10 late, but couldn't get any closer.

Senior Lori Chase led the Otahkians in scoring with 26. Kenja White had four three-pointers and finished with 21. Southeast's defense forced 32 turnovers.