SE BASKETBALL EXPECTS TO SIGN PLAYERS TODAY

Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball team received no official commitments Wednesday as the spring signing period started, but the Indians are expected to land some players today.

Among those planning to sign with the Indians today is guard Cory Johnson, a Piedmont native who starred at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff the past two seasons.

"I'm pretty excited about it," said Johnson when contacted in Poplar Bluff Wednesday night. "It's been a goal of mine to play Division I basketball."

A 6-footer who will have two years of eligibility at Southeast, Johnson was one of the nation's top 3-point shooters among junior-college players last season.

Johnson led TRCC in scoring at 19 points per game as he shot 44 percent from 3-point range.

"And everybody was trying to stop him," said TRCC coach Gene Bess. "He was our primary weapon."

Johnson is a former all-stater at Clearwater High.

Otahkians land one player

Southeast's women's basketball team received one signed letter of intent Wednesday, from high school senior Kimberly Nicholson of Memphis, Tenn.

Nicholson, a 5-11 forward, averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds per game last season at Memphis Central. She earned honorable-mention all-state honors.

SIU sweeps in softball

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southeast's softball team had its 10-game winning streak snapped Wednesday as host Southern Illinois swept a doubleheader.

The Salukis came from behind in both games, winning 3-1 and 9-4. SIU is 26-11 while Southeast is 17-14-1.

Southeast had only seven hits total. Kim Palmer had two hits in the opener while Chris Shetley had two hits in the nightcap.

Christine Engelhardt suffered the loss in the opener, allowing one earned run in five innings. Debbie Schmelz was the second-game loser, allowing six earned runs in six innings.

SIU scored three runs in the sixth inning of the opener to wipe out a 1-0 deficit and eight runs in the sixth inning of the nightcap to erase a 4-1 deficit.

The Otahkians host Morehead State Saturday.

SEMO netters lose at home

The Southeast women's tennis team dropped a 4-0 Ohio Valley Conference decision to visiting Tennessee-Martin Wednesday.

Southeast is 11-7 overall and 5-4 in OVC play.

UTM coach Dennis Taylor pulled his players off the court after his third singles player won a match, assuring the Skyhawks of the win with a 4-0 score after they had swept doubles to earn one point.

In singles matches that were completed, Melinda Thomas (6-1, 6-4), Brigitte Stotter (6-4, 6-3) and Michelle Gruber (6-4, 6-1) all were defeated.

Doubles play saw the Southeast teams of Izabela Slowikowska-Thomas (8-6), Stotter-Vicky Wood (8-5) and Thais Olive-Gruber (8-3) all lose.

The Otahkians will host Southern Illinois-Edwardsville next Monday.