Southeast women to host Maryville University tonight

Southeast Missouri State's rugged nonconference women's basketball schedule doesn't offer many opportunities for the Redhawks to be favored against their opposition.

One of the exceptions is tonight when Maryville University from St. Louis visits the Show Me Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff.

Maryville won a Division III-record 92 straight conference games from 2003 to 2009 but struggled during its first Division II season last year, going 5-21 overall and 3-15 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The Saints have played just one regular-season game, and it was an impressive one as they crushed Division III Principia 98-36 on Saturday.

Maryville dropped both its exhibition contests, 68-65 to College of the Ozarks and 74-45 to Northern Iowa, which beat Southeast 70-57 on Wednesday.

While Southeast (1-3) will be expected to win tonight, the Redhawks aren't likely to look past the Saints.

Not after Southeast lost both its exhibition games to NAIA squads, albeit very good ones in Missouri Baptist and Bethel (Tenn.).

"We can't afford to take anybody for granted," Southeast coach John Ishee said.

The Redhawks could use a win after the beating they took in their last outing.

Louisville of the Big East Conference routed Southeast 97-43 on Friday. The Cardinals scored the game's first 16 points and led 52-19 at halftime.

The Redhawks head back out on the road for a Saturday contest at Texas-Arlington following tonight's game.