With AP looming, Otahks look for a boost

For the Southeast Missouri State University women's basketball team, coach Ed Arnzen said tonight's mission is obvious.

The Otahkians must avoid a letdown.

Southeast is in the middle of its Ohio Valley Conference season and, having posted three straight OVC victories, is gearing up for a big league matchup at home Saturday against Austin Peay.

But first Southeast has a non-conference game against an Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne squad that is struggling in its inaugural season as an NCAA Division I member. The Otahkians (11-6) and Mastodons (4-14) will play at 7 p.m. at the Show Me Center.

"I told our players Monday at practice that it's our challenge, the players and the coaches, to not have a letdown," Arnzen said. "If we're not careful, and we look ahead to Saturday, we'll lose the momentum we've built these last few games.

"I don't like having a non-conference game right now, but scheduling is a very difficult thing and you can't always fit in games exactly where you want."

The Mastodons have been blown out in many of their losses this season, including four decisive setbacks to OVC squads Morehead State (twice) and Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois (once each).

IP-Fort Wayne's opponents average nearly 80 points per game and shoot almost 50 percent from the field. But Arnzen said the Mastodons have dangerous 3-point shooters who, if they are on, could make things interesting. The team has attempted 400 3-pointers this season.

"They can shoot the ball well and they attempt a lot of threes," Arnzen said. "If you catch them on a night when they shoot well, they can be dangerous."

Both squads feature three players scoring in double figures. For Southeast, it's Lori Chase (16.2), Veronica Benson (12.9) and Pam Iversen (10.2).

IP-Fort Wayne's top weapons are Amy Gearlds (13.9), Hilary Kulik (13.1) and Lindsay Werntz (10.0).