Jan. 15, 2004

Box Score

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - In OVC women's hoops action this evening, the Otahkians (8-7, 3-1) took an early 4-0 lead and stretched it to a 102-45 victory over Tennessee State (0-12, 1-3 OVC). The squad's 102 points marks the second time in this season and the second in OVC competition this season that the Otahkians have passed the 100-point plateau. The smashing victory also marks the Otahkians third straight victory, all coming against conference opponents.

The Otahkians got two early buckets in the paint from junior Chandra Brown, who has been extremely quiet the past two games, to jump out to an early four point lead. At the 14:40 mark, the Otahkians had extended their lead to 14-4, before jumping ahead by 28 points to close out the half. Southeast held a 56-26 advantage at the break.

After a bit of a shooting slump again last game against EIU, the Otahkians found their mark early on. As a team, the squad shot 23-for-33 in the first, for a 69.7 percent shooting performance from the floor, including 54.5 percent from long range. Brown and teammate Brandi Russia got off to a great start as they netted 16 and 11 points respectively in the half.

Coming out of the lockers Southeast continued their domination of the Lady Tigers. TSU managed to pull within 35 points at the 12:24 mark, but would get no closer as the Otahkians shot amazing well from the floor and were on fire from downtown. After going 0-4 from three-point land in the first, junior Sami Jo Cotton drained 4-of-5 from downtown.

Overall the Otahkians closed out the game, marking their second best shooting performance of the season, shooting 63.9 percent from the field. But the team recorded their best efforts on the year from long range, shooting 57.7 percent, and their best performance from the charity stripe, shooting 81.8 percent. The outstanding Otahkian defense nearly shut out another opponent from the three-point line as TSU made only one from beyond the arc. The team's defensive efforts also held the Lady Tigers to just 34.5 percent shooting on the evening.

The Otahks recorded their most powerful game on the boards, out rebounding TSU by 20 boards, 42-22. The team also recorded a season-best, 32 assists, while holding TSU to only seven.

Brown, netting a new career-high 22 points, while also tying for the game-high seven boards with teammate Yashika Sidbury, led Southeast on the night and snatched Copi-Rite player of the game honors. Five other Otahkians recorded double-digits, as Cotton scored 15 and Russia chipped in another 14 to double her previous career-best. While senior Sarah Costello was the teams top helper as she dished out a season-high eight assists.

The Lady Tigers were led on the night by senior guard Kisha Stewart with ten points.

The Otahkians hit the road for a four game road series beginning in Cookeville, Tenn. Tues., Jan. 22, against Tennessee Tech (6-7, 2-1 OVC). Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. It should be an exciting match-up as the two met just last week in Show Me Center and the Otahkians were forced into overtime after poor second half shooting. Southeast pulled out the victory, dominating in overtime, to down the Lady Eaglettes 102-90.