STRUGGLING OTAHKS NEED VICTORY TODAY AGAINST MURRAY ST.

The biggest surprise so far this season in Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball will pay a visit to the Show Me Center today.

Murray State, picked to finish sixth in the 10-team league, is in second place entering the 3:30 p.m. tipoff against Southeast Missouri State University's reeling Otahkians.

"They're playing very well and they'll be fired up," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen.

The Lady Racers, 11-11 overall, are 9-4 in OVC play. They've won eight of their last nine games.

Southeast, 8-14 overall, is 5-9 in OVC play as the Otahkians have dropped into a tie for eighth place in the 10-team league. Only the top eight finishers qualify for the OVC Tournament.

The Otahkians have lost four straight games. And, especially frustrating to Arnzen, they have dropped the first two contests during a crucial three-game homestand that ends today.

"We have to turn it up and get some enthusiasm going," said Arnzen. "We have to get on the glass and create some things. We haven't been doing that."

Arnzen believes it was a 54-49 win by Murray State over Southeast on Jan. 15 in Murray, Ky., that helped ignite the Lady Racers. Their only loss in seven games since then was a five-point decision to OVC leader Tennessee Tech.

"I really think we helped wake them up," Arnzen said. "They've played extremely well since then."

Heather Bates and Liz Stansberry both average close to 14 points per game to lead the Lady Racers offensively. Monika Gadson averages nearly 12 points and nine rebounds a contest.

"Bates and Gadson are returnees from last year and they've played well. Stansberry is a new player who has really helped them out," said Arnzen. "They'll play hard as they always do, and (coach) Eddie (Fields) has done a good job with them."

Today's game will be Southeast's final OVC home contest of the season. Considering the Otahkians are winless in league road games this season, Arnzen knows how important it is for Southeast to salvage something out of this week's homestand.

"We still have a shot (to get in the OVC Tournament), but we've got to win some games," he said.