IMPROVED OTAHKIANS EYE ROAD VICTORY TODAY

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team has only a 4-11 overall record and the Otahkians are mired toward the bottom of the Ohio Valley Conference standings with a 2-5 mark.

But Southeast coach Ed Arnzen truly believes the Otahkians will still make some noise in the OVC race. Several recent games have caused him to feel that way.

"Our last four conference games we have played very hard and executed much better and we're 2-2 in those games," said Arnzen. "We had a lot of problems early in the season but I really believe this team is coming together and improving with each game."

Arnzen will be looking for more improvement today when the Otahkians travel to Murray, Ky., for a 5:15 p.m. game with Murray State's Lady Racers.

The contest could wind up being an important one in the battle to qualify for the OVC Tournament.

Only the top eight teams in final regular-season standings of the 10-team league make the postseason tourney. Southeast is currently tied for eighth with Morehead State at 2-5 while Murray is in last place at 1-6.

"It's a very big game," said Arnzen.

Both Southeast and Murray are 4-11 overall. The Lady Racers, who finished strong last year, were picked third in this season's preseason OVC poll but they have struggled virtually the entire campaign.

"They've struggled, but they have very good talent," said Arnzen. "Stephaine Minor is one of the premier players in the league."

Minor, a 5-foot-11 senior, averages 18.4 points per game to pace the Lady Racers.

"If we could get this one, that would give us a lot of momentum going into a big homestand," Arnzen said.

Following today's game, the Otahkians will return home for four straight contests, starting Saturday night when Eastern Illinois comes to the Show Me Center.