Otahkians clinch tie for second place with victory at Tech

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- When B.J. Smith took over as Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball coach prior to this season, he said the Otahkians could win the Ohio Valley Conference title.

That's why Smith wasn't overly excited about clinching at least a second-place OVC tie, courtesy of Thursday night's thrilling 76-72 win over host Tennessee Tech coupled with Eastern Kentucky's loss to league champion Austin Peay.

But Smith also wasn't scoffing at his squad, which continued to fare better than its preseason OVC prediction of fifth place. And the Otahkians (16-10, 10-5) can have second to themselves if they win at Tennessee State Saturday in the regular-season finale.

"If we finish second, for the injuries we had early and losing to Tennessee-Martin, we'll feel pretty good going into the conference tournament," Smith said.

Thursday's victory over Tech (10-16, 5-10) clinched a Southeast home game Tuesday night in the first round of the OVC Tournament. That reward goes to the top four finishers in the nine-team league.

Lead changes hands

Thursday's contest was tight most of the way with 18 lead changes and 12 ties. Tech's biggest advantage was eight points early in the second half. Southeast, which trailed 40-36 at halftime, held a seven-point lead midway through the final period.

Junior guard Kenja White led the Otahkians offensively with 18 points, including a go-ahead three-point play in the late going. White, who hit six of nine field-goal attempts and two of three 3-pointers, also had three steals.

"It feels good to win," White said, noting Southeast's two-game losing skid. "They said it would be tough to win here, but I didn't know it would be that tough."

Junior forward Carina Souza scored 17 points for the Otahkians and junior forward Yashika Sidbury added 15 points as she hit four of eight 3-pointers. Senior guard LaShelle Porter came off the bench and dished out six assists.

Emily Christian and Jenna Baltimore, two freshmen, both scored 21 points for the Eaglettes.

Southeast was aided by a stellar performance from the free-throw line as the Otahkians made 19 of 20, including 13 of 13 in the second half. Tech was 23 of 28 from the charity stripe.

Southeast surged into a 58-51 lead with just under 13 minutes remaining, but the Otahkians scored just four points over the next eight-plus minutes as Tech went ahead 67-62 with under four minutes to go.

Senior forward Lori Chase got a basket and free throw with 3:45 left to make it 67-65, then freshman guard Tiffanne Ryan's driving shot at the 2:59 mark pulled Southeast into a 67-67 tie.

White drove for a basket and was fouled with 2:06 remaining. She made the free throw for a 70-67 lead, and two White free throws with 41 seconds left made it 72-67 to complete a 10-0 run.

Tickets for Tuesday's first-round OVC Tournament game -- against an opponent that has not yet been determined -- go on sale today at the Houck Field House ticket office. Prices are $8 for adults and $4 for students. Season ticket holders have until noon Monday to retain their seats.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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