SOUTHEAST WOMEN WIN OVC OPENER

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team has had precious little to cheer about in Ohio Valley Conference play the past two seasons.

But if Saturday night is any indication, then things could definitely be looking up for the Otahkians this year.

The Otahkians opened OVC play with a 63-48 road victory over a talented Tennessee State squad picked to finish in the upper division of the 10-team league.

Southeast, which finished 10th and eighth in the OVC the past two seasons, is now 5-2 overall. That's impressive, considering the Otahkians won a total of 13 games the past two years.

"To go on the road and beat a team like Tennessee State to open conference play, it's just a really big win for us," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "We've won here before, but not often. I remember us losing by 40 here last year and it wasn't a good feeling.

"To come back here this year and win really says a lot about this group."

Moneik Campbell, Rusty Sowers and Paula Corder all scored 11 points to lead a balanced Southeast offensive attack.

The Otahkians also got a lift off the bench from Allison Iversen, who scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds.

Two more bench players also contributed well as Liea Toedte hit two first-half 3-pointers and scored six points and freshman Reagan Hughston added four points and five rebounds.

"Liea hit two big 3-pointers, Allison played very well and I thought Reagan really grew up tonight. This was the first time she was aggressive and looked for her shot," said Arnzen.

The Otahkians started off strong and, although they hit a few bumps in the road, never really let up.

Southeast scored the first basket of the game and never trailed. The Otahkians led 6-2 early and Toedte's 3-pointer with 8:25 left before halftime put Southeast ahead 20-10.

Campbell hit a basket and free with just over five minutes remaining before the break to give the Otahkians a 25-14 lead. They were ahead 30-23 at the intermission.

Sowers scored five quick points over the first minute of the second half -- on a 3--pointer and a 12-footer -- as the Otahkians opened up a 35-23 lead.

TSU pulled to within 35-30, but Tajuana White, Pam Iversen and Campbell all scored baskets in a 6-0 run as the Otahkians boosted their lead to 41-30.

The Lady Tigers were able to get within five points several more times, the last at 48-43.

But Corder hit two free throws, then Campbell drained a 3-pointer with 6:16 left to make it 53-43. The Otahkians were home free after that.

"We always had an answer every time they made a run," Arnzen said. "We showed a lot of composure and we had a lot of people make big plays for us."

No player scored in double figures for the Lady Tigers, who suffered through a miserable shooting night. TSU, now 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the league, hit just 22 percent from the field (17 of 78). Southeast shot 45 percent (22 of 49).

"I thought a really big key was us getting through their pressure well and scoring quite a bit against it," said Arnzen. "We knew that would be important."

Southeast will return to action Tuesday night as Oakland City comes to the Show Me Center for a 7 p.m. non-conference game.