Redhawks complete perfect road record in OVC games

~ The Southeast women won their 10th straight game.

MARTIN, Tenn. -- It has long been a given that winning on the road in college basketball is difficult.

The Southeast Missouri State women don't subscribe to that theory.

Southeast completed the first perfect Ohio Valley Conference road record in program history with Saturday's 53-43 victory at Tennessee-Martin.

Southeast never had won all its conference road games since joining the OVC in the 1991-92 season. That includes the past two years, which featured OVC regular-season and tournament titles.

"I told them before the game that it's not what we're playing for, but the opportunity is in front of us, we might as well seize it," Southeast coach John Ishee said. "It's quite a feat."

And one made even more difficult in the past three years after the OVC bumped up to a 20-game conference schedule.

"That's history," senior guard Ashley Lovelady said. "We're the only [Southeast] team that's done it. We are very excited."

Not only did Saturday's triumph polish off a 10-0 OVC road slate for the Redhawks, it also kept them hot in all venues.

The Redhawks (19-6, 14-2) have won 10 straight and 15 of their last 16. They continue to lead the OVC by a game over Samford as they chase after a conference three-peat.

Southeast also has clinched a first-round OVC tournament home game, which goes to the top four finishers.

"We have to keep taking care of business because Samford keeps winning," Ishee said.

Last-place UT-Martin (5-22, 2-15) gave Southeast a battle for the second time in two weeks, including the Redhawks' 58-51 overtime win at the Show Me Center on Feb. 2.

But as has so often been the case, Southeast pulled out a game that hung in the balance late.

UT-Martin erased a 29-20 halftime deficit to lead 39-37 with just under 12 minutes remaining.

The Redhawks then reeled off 14 straight points as they held UT-Martin scoreless for more than 10 minutes. Southeast scored 16 of the game's final 20 points to win going away.

"We played better team defense. We helped out a lot better," junior guard Sonya Daugherty said.

Twelve of Southeast's 16 OVC games have been decided by 10 points or less. The Redhawks are 11-1 in those contests.

"That's just what we're good at, pulling it out," Lovelady said. "I guess we're comfortable in that situation."

A knack for winning close games also sparked the Redhawks to last year's conference championship.

"I just think it's our leadership," said Ishee, who returned four starters from last season's unit.

Lovelady was the only Southeast player to score in double figures as she had 10 points, along with five rebounds and three assists.

Daugherty scored eight points, including the basket that put Southeast ahead for good with under 8 minutes to play. She added five rebounds and three steals.

Junior forward Crysta Glenn scored all eight of her points in the first half. She finished with four steals.

Junior forward Rachel Blunt scored all seven of her points in the opening period, while junior point guard Tarina Nixon had seven points, five assists and three steals.

Senior center Missy Whitney chipped in six points, five rebounds and four steals, while junior guard Tierra Johnson added five first-half points off the bench.

"We again got contributions from a lot of people," Ishee said.

The Redhawks also continued to have a big advantage in the turnover department.

Southeast leads the OVC in turnover margin, forcing nearly 20 per game and committing less than 14 per game, the latter figuring ranking among the national leaders.

UT-Martin had 23 turnovers compared to only nine for Southeast, which had a 17-5 edge in points off turnovers.

"Turnovers are always big," Lovelady said.

The Redhawks finish the regular season with four straight home games, starting Wednesday night against Austin Peay.

"We just have to stay focused at home like we do on the road," Daugherty said.