OTAHKS FALL TO CENTRAL, 62-56, FOR THIRD LOSS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The scoreboard at the Show Me Center Saturday indicated that Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team had been defeated by Central Missouri State 62-56.

But Southeast coach Ed Arnzen found it extremely difficult to call his Otahkians anything but winners.

"You're never happy when you lose, but I'm just so proud of this group," said Arnzen. "I don't really feel like we lost. I don't know how you can call yourself a loser when you've played like this for the past four games."

Arnzen was talking about his team's four-game stretch without the services of five players, including three starters. They were sitting out a suspension handed down by the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association for inadvertently participating illegally on the same team during summer play.

Saturday's MIAA contest marked the final game without those players, including starters Jerri Wiley, Renee Rogliardi and Sarita Wesley.

To the surprise of just about everybody around the league, Southeast won two of the four games. And the Otahkians, featuring a lineup of one senior and four freshmen much of the time, very nearly won the other two.

"We were 2-2, losing by four points at Washburn and by six tonight," said Arnzen. "To some a 2-2 record might seem mediocre. And it most instances it might seem mediocre to me.

"But you have to take into account what these kids were up against. We were outmanned, but our kids just played so hard. I feel like we got as much out of them as we could."

Southeast is now 10-3 overall and 2-2 in the MIAA. Central climbed to 9-3 and 3-0.

Sherry Mitchell, the lone senior eligible during the past four games, again had a big night for the Otahkians and she very nearly carried Southeast to another victory. Mitchell, playing out of position at the point, scored 18 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out nine assists.

"Sherry has just been unbelievable," Arnzen said. "She had to be exhausted but she did it all for us."

Freshman Anne Cate hit four of eight three-point shots and scored 16 points.

The Otahkians also got solid contributions from freshmen Jody Pugh (eight points), Jennifer Cavaness (eight points), Deanna Jackson and Gwen Fitzpatrick, along with Deanna Jackson and Janet Miller.

"They all gave it everything they had," said Arnzen.

Southeast was down 13-4 early before Cate caught fire. Her two consecutive three-pointers capped a 12-0 run that put the Otahkians ahead 24-19. They led 26-24 at halftime.

The Otahkians enjoyed their biggest lead of the night at 38-30 with just under 14 minutes to play on a shot by Cavaness.

But Central stormed back and eventually took its first lead since the opening half on a three-pointer by Gina Blanks that made it 50-48 with 5:27 left.

Southeast tied it at 50-all on a Cate bucket but the Jennies then took control for good with a 6-0 run that made it 56-50 with 3:52 left. The Otahkians never got closer than four points again.

Blanks and Dawn Thomas each scored 13 points to pace the Jennies. Kristi Lawson and Tracie Morris added 12 apiece.

The Otahkians will be back in action Wednesday night at Missouri Southern. They'll have their full team back in action for that one.

"We'll have everybody back beginning with our practice Sunday (today)," Arnzen said. "That will start another period of adjustment for us."

CENTRAL MISSOURI

TS6R,9R,11.5R,14R,16R,18R,20R Min FG 3PT FT Rb F Pt

Zink 11 0-3 0-1 0-0 0 1 0

Blanks 23 4-8 3-5 2-2 5 2 13

Boe 7 0-3 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Lawson 37 6-11 0-2 0-0 7 0 12

Chalupny 31 3-6 0-0 2-2 8 1 8

Morris 32 5-9 0-0 2-2 7 1 12

Gard 8 0-1 0-0 0-0 3 1 0

Thomas 40 4-14 3-8 2-3 7 1 13

Travis 11 2-5 0-0 0-0 1 0 4

Team Rbs 10

Totals 200 24-60 6-15 8-9 48 7 62

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

TS6R,9R,11.5R,14R,16R,18R,20R Min FG 3PT FT Rb F Pt

Miller 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Holland 35 1-7 0-0 0-0 4 1 2

Fitzpatrick 6 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 2

Cate 38 6-18 4-8 0-0 1 1 16

Mitchell 38 8-22 0-0 2-2 5 4 18

Pugh 37 3-3 0-0 2-5 6 1 8

Jackson 7 1-5 0-0 0-0 3 2 2

Cavaness 36 4-9 0-0 0-0 4 4 8

Team Rbs 5

Totals 200 24-65 4-8 4-7 28 13 56

TS14R,16R,18R,20RCENTRAL 24 38 - 62

SOUTHEAST 26 30 - 56

Shooting percentages - FG: Central .400, Southeast .370. FT: Central .890, Southeast .571. Assists: Central 12 (Blanks 3, Lawson 3), Southeast 14 (Mitchell 9). Turnovers: Central 12, Southeast 7. Technical Fouls: none. Officials: Randy Morrow, Phillip Tharp. A - 1,898.

MDNM