Southeast seeks share of first place

~ The Redhawks get their first look at Tennessee-Martin.

The only Ohio Valley Conference team Southeast Missouri State's women have not yet faced is next on their agenda.

But Southeast acting head coach John Ishee pretty much knows what to expect from host Tennessee-Martin in today's 4 p.m. tipoff -- a major challenge.

"They're the most improved team in the conference, and it's a very tough venue to play in, maybe the toughest in the conference," Ishee said. "I expect a very difficult game."

Both teams could likely be considered among the OVC's most surprising squads, with Southeast probably topping the list.

The Redhawks returned just one starter and only two players with considerable experience from last year's team that captured the program's first OVC regular-season and tournament championships.

Because of all those graduation losses, the Redhawks were expected to fall back to the pack. They were picked fifth in the league's preseason poll.

Yet Southeast (15-6, 10-3) is just one-half game out of first place and can pull back into a tie for the top spot with a win today, since league-leading Morehead State has a nonconference contest.

"We thought all along we would have a good team," said Southeast junior forward Missy Whitney, the Redhawks' leading scorer at 13.4 points per game.

The Skyhawks returned all five starters from last year, but since that squad finished 10th in the 11-team OVC -- going 8-19 overall and 6-14 in league play -- UTM was picked ninth in the preseason poll.

Yet the Skyhawks (12-10, 7-7) have already surpassed their conference and overall win totals from a year ago. UTM is tied for fifth place, although it has lost two straight.

"They're really having a solid year," Ishee said.

While the Skyhawks returned loads of experience, it has been one of their least experienced players from last season who is leading the squad.

Phyllisha Mitchell, a 5-foot-10 sophomore forward, tops UTM in scoring and rebounding, with averages of 12.9 points and nine boards per game.

Mitchell, who is shooting 53 percent from the field, saw limited minutes as a freshman last year, averaging just 3.7 points and 1.7 rebounds.

Mitchell is the OVC's No. 2 rebounder -- behind Southeast senior center Lachelle Lyles, who leads the nation with an average of 17 per game.

"She is having an outstanding season," Ishee said of Mitchell. "As a team, they really get after you on the boards, just like we do."

Southeast and UTM are the OVC's top two rebounding teams.

Also having a strong season for the Skyhawks is 5-9 senior center Andreika Jackson, who is averaging 12 points and 6.1 rebounds. She was a first-team all-OVC preseason pick, after making the second team last year.

UTM features the OVC's second-ranked 3-point shooter, as 5-5 freshman guard Nicole Holeman has made 44.4 percent (36 of 81).

"They've got pretty good balance, with a strong inside game and some good outside shooters," Ishee said. "And they're really tough at home. We'll have our hands full."

UTM is 6-1 in OVC home games, but the Skyhawks are only 1-6 on the road.

Southeast has split its six conference road games, while going 7-0 in OVC play at the Show Me Center.

"It's always tougher on the road," Lyles said. "But all we have to do is compete, play defense and keep our intensity up. If we do those things, we'll be all right."