Otahkians look for luck on the road

After an unproductive homestand, it's time to go on the road.

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team (9-6 overall, 2-3 Ohio Valley Conference) will play six of its next seven conference games away from home, beginning with today's 5:30 p.m. contest against the University of Tennessee-Martin (3-11, 1-2).

"It's a big stretch of games for us," Southeast coach Ed Arnzen said. "Winning on the road in college basketball is never easy, but we've got some coming up that I feel like we can win, including the two this week."

Southeast, which visits Murray State (7-7, 2-2) in a 4:30 p.m. game Saturday, picked up just one win during its four-game home stand, although the Otahkians did finish the stretch with a 77-53 win over Tennessee State on Monday.

"We really needed to win that game and get confidence before going on the road," Arnzen said.

To defeat the Skyhawks today, the Otahkians may have to slow down UTM senior guard Kelly Pendleton, the OVC's top 3-point shooter at 48.5 percent. Pendleton leads the Skyhawks in scoring at 12.8 points per game.

"She is a good player and particularly a very good shooter," Arnzen said. "We have to contain her."

The Skyhawks have just one other double-figure scorer in junior forward Amy Watson at 11.1 points a game. No other UTM player averages more than 6.1.

Southeast got a season-high 31 points from junior forward Lori Chase against Tennessee State and leads the Otahkians at 16.6 points per game. Senior guard Veronica Benson adds 12.7.

UTM ended Southeast's season last year with an upset victory in the opening round of the OVC Tournament.

"I'm sure the girls remember that one," Arnzen said.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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