OTAHKS TRY TO HAND TECH FIRST OVC LOSS

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- It's been almost a month, but the sting of a Jan. 9 home loss to Tennessee Tech probably hasn't completely worn off for Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team.

Today, the Otahkians will try to gain a measure of revenge for that earlier 80-79 overtime setback when they face the host Golden Eaglettes in 5:30 p.m. Ohio Valley Conference tipoff at the Eblen Center.

But beating Tech will certainly be a tall order because the defending OVC champion Eaglettes are currently setting a torrid pace in the league.

"It's a big challenge for us, no question about it," said Southeast coach Ed Arnzen.

Tech, 17-4 overall, is 10-0 in conference play. Southeast, 12-8 overall, is 7-3 in the OVC, good for a third-place tie with Austin Peay as both squads are just one-half game behind second-place Eastern Kentucky.

"It's going to be tough for anybody to catch Tennessee Tech," admitted Arnzen. "They haven't lost yet (in conference play) and they may not lose a game. They're really an outstanding club."

Still, the Otahkians very nearly beat the Eaglettes in that earlier meeting -- and probably should have.

Southeast held a 13-point lead late in the game before Tech forced overtime with a furious rally. Then, after the Otahkians grabbed a one-point lead toward the end of overtime, the Eaglettes went the length of the court in just a few seconds to score the game-winning basket on a Rachael Gobble layup at the buzzer.

"I felt like we should have gotten them at our place," Arnzen said. "That was really a disappointing loss. We played well but we just couldn't close the game out, then it looked like we had the game won in overtime but they score at the buzzer."

Arnzen knows that, in order for the Otahkians to have a chance at upsetting Tech, they'll have to slow down junior center Janet Holt, who is widely regarded as the OVC's premier player.

The 6-foot Holt, the reigning OVC Player of the Year who was tabbed in the preseason to repeat that honor, leads the league in scoring at 24 points per game and she is second in rebounding at nearly 10 a contest.

In the earlier game against Southeast, Holt poured in 30 points.

"She's the best player in the conference," said Arnzen. "We have to keep her from scoring 30, like she did the last time."

Tech has other solid players, including a host of sharpshooting guards who help the Eaglettes lead the OVC in 3-point shooting at 43 percent. But Holt is the one who makes them go.

"They have good players around her, particularly three really good shooters on the perimeter," Arnzen said. "But we really have to try and keep Holt from doing too much damage."

This is a big week for the Otahkians, who have two other road games, Thursday against Murray State and Saturday against Tennessee-Martin.

"It's a huge week for us," said Arnzen. "It's difficult to win on the road, but we need to pick up some victories this week."