STRUGGLING OTAHKIANS FACE POTENT EKU TONIGHT

Starting off a three-game homestand by losing to the team picked to finish last in the league was certainly not what Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team had in mind.

But that's the situation the Otahkians find themselves in entering tonight's 7:30 game against Eastern Kentucky at the Show Me Center.

The Otahkians lost to Tennessee-Martin -- picked to finish last in the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference -- 66-53 Thursday night.

So the Otahkians -- 2-8 overall and 0-3 in OVC play -- certainly won't be carrying a whole lot of momentum into tonight's game against one of the league's better teams. EKU is 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the OVC.

"We sure didn't get the homestand started like we wanted to," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen. "And now we go up against a very talented club that is one of the best in the conference. It's going to be very difficult for us."

Arnzen felt confident the Otahkians, after losing on the road to Austin Peay and Tennessee State to start the OVC season, would be able to right themselves against UTM.

But that didn't happen. The Skyhawks built a 25-point second-half lead and coasted to victory.

Now, said Arnzen, the Otahkians have no choice but to keep working hard and try to dig out of their slump.

"I know if you quit, that's not the answer," he said. "I'm too competitive for that. I hope our players are. We just have to get back up."

Following tonight's contest, the Otahkians will close out their three-game homestand when Morehead State visits the Show Me Center Monday.