Based on the score, the Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team had an easy time in its first meeting with Tennessee Tech.

In reality, the Redhawks had to pull away late to post a 56-41 victory Jan. 3 in Cookeville, Tenn.

That's why the Redhawks expect a strong effort from the struggling Eagles in today's 5:30 p.m. matchup at the Show Me Center.

"They've got good parts to their team," Southeast senior forward Rachel Blunt said. "If you let them do what they want, they can beat you."

Southeast, which has won six of its last eight games, is 10-10 overall and 6-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Redhawks are in sixth place in the 10-team OVC, one game out of third place.

Tech (4-17, 2-8) is in eighth place, which is the final spot to earn a berth in the conference tournament.

The Eagles have lost four straight and 11 of 12, although two of their recent defeats went to overtime.

"I expect a battle," Southeast coach John Ishee said.

In the earlier meeting, Southeast and Tech were tied 35-35 midway through the second half before the Redhawks ended the game on a 21-6 burst.

"It was close until the last few minutes," Ishee said. "The score was very misleading."

Tech is led by 5-foot-6 senior guard Blair Bowens, who is averaging 13.8 points per game.

Meagan Lyons, also a 5-6 senior guard, is Tech's other double-figure scorer with a 10-point average.

"She's as explosive a guard as there is in the conference," Ishee said of Lyons.

The 41 points scored by Tech in the earlier game with Southeast had been tied for the Redhawks' season-low point total allowed before Thursday's 57-37 rout of visiting Jacksonville State.

While Ishee was pleased with Thursday's performance, he believes Southeast will have to improve on that today.

"We'll have to play a lot better to defend our home court," Ishee said.

After facing Tennessee Tech, Southeast will get a break from OVC play as it will host Harris Stowe on Wednesday.