Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team will visit winless JSU

~ The Redhawks look for just their second OVC road win this season

Southeast Missouri State's chances of qualifying for the Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball tournament are not strong.

But the Redhawks are mathematically alive for a berth in the eight-team event. They have to win their final three regular-season games just to have a shot, beginning with Saturday's matchup at winless Jacksonville State.

The Redhawks (10-16, 4-9) and Gamecocks (0-26, 0-14) square off at 6 p.m. in Jacksonville, Ala.

"We've still got a chance. We just have to focus on winning these last three games," senior guard Bailie Roberts said.

Southeast is 10th in the 12-team conference, 2 1/2 games out of eighth place. The Redhawks not only need to sweep their last three contests but also hope some squads they are chasing suffer losses.

Second-year Southeast coach Ty Margenthaler knows the odds are stacked against the Redhawks, but he's more focused on his improved team finishing strong.

The Redhawks' 10 wins are two more than in any season since 2008-09. Their four OVC victories match their most since that 2008-09 campaign, the last time they made the conference tournament.

"This is the first time any player in this program has ever won 10 games in a season," Margenthaler said. "We've made a lot of positive strides this year and we want to keep building on that in these last few games.

"We're not in an ideal situation. We're just going to have to continue to fight and work. We have three games left and our goal is to win all three, get to seven wins in the conference and see where that takes us."

Southeast goal Saturday is to avoid being the first victim in JSU's miserable season.

The Gamecocks' average margin of defeat has been 14.7 points, including 16.4 in OVC play. Both figures rank last in the league.

Only three of JSU's conference losses have been by single digits, with the closest setback being six points.

"It's a stressful game. We don't want to be their first game they win. We know we have to go in there with great confidence and concentration," Margenthaler said. "This is a huge game."

Southeast has only won one OVC road game this season -- at Austin Peay. The Redhawks have two road victories overall. Their lone road win of any kind last year was against JSU.

"It's always very tough to win on the road no matter who you're playing," Margenthaler said.

Following Saturday's game, Southeast has its final home date Monday when Tennessee Tech visits for a 6:30 p.m. Senior Night matchup.

Pink Up Night

Monday's game will also be Southeast's annual Pink Up Night, sponsored by Saint Francis Medical Center, to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer. The Redhawks will be wearing pink jerseys for the contest.

Fans are encouraged to wear pink and paid admission to the game will benefit Saint Francis Medical Center's Dig for Life charity, specifically going toward providing mammograms for women in need.

There will be a Ladies Night reception at 5 p.m. in the Show Me Center meeting rooms. Admission to the reception is free with a ticket to the game. The reception features complimentary wine tasting (courtesy of Primo Vino), free appetizers, chair massages and more.