Box Score

Cape Girardeau, Mo. (February 1, 2003) - For the first time since February 6 of 1999, The Southeast Missouri Otahkian basketball team has defeated the Golden Eaglettes of Tennessee Tech as the Otahks were victorious tonight, 86-80 in front of a ruckus crowd at the Show Me Center. Southeast moves its overall record to12-6 and 6-2 in the OVC, while Tech falls to 7-11 and 2-5 in the conference.

Southeast took an early lead as they were up 7-2 four minutes into the game. Tech, however, tied the game at nine just two minutes later. From there they went on to take as big as a six-point lead at 19-13, but the Otahks stormed back on two three-pointers by senior forward Lori Chase to tie the game at 19. The game went back and for the before Southeast took control and rolled to a nine point halftime lead.

Chase did everything for the Otahks in the half. She had 18 points on 7-11 shooting from the field and 4-6 from behind the arc, while a perfect 4-4 at the line. She had four rebounds in the half.

Southeast kept their lead at around ten for the first four minutes of the second half and it hovered around nine for most of the half. Tech cut the lead to three twice and as much as one at 72-71 with 4:40 left. However, strong free-throw shooting down the half and a monster night from Chase sealed the game for the Otahks.

Chase had 32 points on the night on 10-17 shooting from the field going 5-9 from behind the arc and 7-9 from the free-throw line. She had a team-high seven rebounds and 35 minutes. Junior guard Kenja White had 18 points and five rebounds while junior guard Sarah Costello had her second-straight ten-point game. The eight three pointers on the night marked the 142nd straight game an Otahkian team has made at least one three pointer in a game.

Freshman Emily Christian had a career game for Tech as she matched Chase's 32 points on 15-20 shooting. She was 2-4 from the free-throw line and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

Tech out-shot Southeast 54 to 45 percent on the night, but just couldn't overcome the first-half deficit. They out-scored Southeast in the second half 49-46, but was out-rebounded 40-30, while committing 18 turnovers.

Southeast is off till Monday as they play host to the Lady Tigers of Tennessee State University. Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky squared off tonight in Richmond, as Peay took an extra-period to put away the home Colonels 69-68. The win gives Peay a league-best 7-0 record and moves EKU into a two-way tie with Southeast for second place in the Conference at 6-2. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. at the Show Me Center.

The game is "Take a Kid to the Game" night as every child under 12 years of age will be admitted free of charge.