TOURNEY GAMES TO BE HELD IN CAPE

Southeast Missouri State University's basketball teams still don't know exactly where they will finish in the Ohio Valley Conference.

But they do know one thing -- both will be at home for first-round games in the league's postseason tournament.

The Southeast men, who trail first-place Murray State by one game heading into Thursday night's big showdown in Murray, Ky., have already clinched at least second place.

Southeast's women are in first place in the league and they are 1 1/2 games ahead of three teams tied for second: Tennessee-Martin, Middle Tennessee and Tennessee Tech.

Although the Otahkians will still have to close strong to win the regular-season championship, they have clinched at least fourth place.

The top eight finishers in the 10-team league on both the men's and women's sides make the OVC Tournament field, with the top four finishers hosting first-round tourney games on Feb. 23.

Southeast's men fell to 12-2 in OVC play and 15-7 overall by dropping a 68-62 home decision to Tennessee Tech Saturday night.

While that was bad news for the Indians, it was tempered somewhat by Murray State's 74-73 upset loss at Tennessee-Martin. That defeat snapped the Racers' 25-game OVC winning streak.

So the Indians remained one game behind the 13-1 Racers. Both squads have four games remaining. A loss to Murray State Thursday would probably eliminate the Indians from title contention but a victory would force a first-place tie with three games left.

While Southeast's women are in the OVC driver's seat, their situation might even be a bit more uncertain than their male counterparts -- mainly because three other teams are still very much in the running for the championship.

The Otahkians are 12-3 in league play and 17-6 overall following Saturday's 74-70 home win over Tennessee Tech. Southeast has three games left.

Tennessee Tech, Middle Tennessee and Tennessee-Martin are all tied for second at 10-4. So the order of the top four finishers is still very much up for grabs.

Tech, Middle and Martin all have four games remaining, although Martin is the only one among the three that still has a contest left with Southeast. The Otahkians and Skyhawks will square off Saturday in Martin, Tenn.

The Otahkians also have remaining games at Murray State Thursday and at home against Eastern Illinois Feb. 20.

* Tickets for the OVC Tournament first-round games go on sale today at the Houck Field House ticket office.

Tickets in the lower level will sell for $13 while the upper level tickets will be $10. Student tickets will be $4.

Southeast season ticket holders have the option of purchasing their tickets today through Friday. Any season tickets not sold by Saturday will be released for sale to the general public.