Jan. 19, 2002

Box Score

MURRAY, Ky. - Senior center Pam Iversen became the 12th Otahkian in school history to score 1,000 points in a career as her 12 points and 11 rebounds, her second straight double-double and fifth of the season helped spark Southeast to a 71-55 victory against Murray State, their first ever at MSU's Regional Special Events Center in four tries.

After scoring four points in the first half, Iversen made a nice move in the lane and hit a layup at the 18:44 mark of the second half to reach the milestone. The achievement is especially special for Iversen who has battled injuries throughout her Southeast career. Iversen's 11 rebounds also allowed her to move up the Southeast career rebounding list, as she now sits 6th with 684 total caroms. She also blocked two shots to move into a tie for third on the Southeast career list and a tie for 10th on the season block list, as Iversen has swatted 27 shots already this season.

Southeast (11-6 overall, 4-3 OVC) was able to win the game by limiting the Ohio Valley Conference's leading three-point attack, as Murray State (7-9, 2-4) entered Saturday's game hitting almost eight three-point shots per game. On the night, however, the Lady Racers were limited to only 3-12 (25%) from long range. Southeast also cut down on its achilles heel, turnovers, by committing a season-low 11 mistakes on the night. The Otahkians were also able to get to the line and knocked down 13-16 free throw attempts.

The teams battled back and forth through the games first 12 minutes before Murray was able to establish a lead. The Lady Racers went up by as much as five, 28-23, at the 5:15 mark of the first half. Southeast would battle back and close the first half on a 16-5 run to turn the disadvantage into a six point advantage at the break. The run was sparked by two steals and layups by Veronica Benson.

Southeast did not let up out the the locker room either using a 9-1 run to open the games second 20 minutes to extend its advantage to double digits and they never looked back. Murray used a mini-run to cut the lead to nine with 7:00 minutes to play but were not able to get any closer.

"It is great to win away from home while playing a team game where everyone contributes," Southeast head coach Ed Arnzen said after the game referring to Southeast putting four players in double figures. "I thought we played well and played hard. As for Pam, she is a special player and I'm really happy for her tonight. I'm glad she got the points but I'm most pleased with the 11 rebounds which was big. I thought Veronica did a good job of taking over the game at the end of the first half which was key and Tiffany played one of her better games of the season."

Benson led Southeast with 18 points. She also contributed six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Lori Chase scored 16 points and grabbed six boards while tying a career-high with four steals. Tiffany Melis was the other Otahkian in double figures with 11, hitting 2-4 from long range and hitting the double figure plateau for the first time in seven games.

Murray was led by 18 points and 15 rebounds from senior center Denise McDonald. Brittany Park (16) and Rebecca Remington (10) were also in double figures. MSU's leading scorer, Susan Tackett was held to only three points on 1-7 shooting.

Murray shot only 35.7% from the field in the game including 26.9% in the second half. Southeast hit 50% in the first half and cooled down a bit in the second, finishing the game at 43.1%.

After playing six games in the past two weeks, Southeast will have three days off before challenging IP-Fort Wayne on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Show Me Center.

Game Notes: Southeast has won three straight, the third time this season the Otahkians have had at least a three-game winning streak ... junior Lori Chase went over 900 points for her career tonight and finished the game with 910 total points and should reach the 1,000 point plateau by the end of the season ... Southeast improved to 11-0 when leading with both 5:00 and 2:00 left in a game and to 10-2 when scoring at least 70 points in a game ... Southeast led at the half for the first time in five games and improved to 8-1 when leading at the break ... Lori Chase has scored in double figures in 32 of her last 36 games.