Jan. 31, 2004

Box Score

Birmingham, Ala. - The Otahkians (9-10, 4-4 OVC) dominated from start to finish, extending their early lead to a 71-43 final over Samford (8-10, 1-6 OVC) tonight in OVC action in Birmingham, Ala. Leading the offensive charge was senior guard Kenja White pumping in a game-high 18 points and picking off a career-high six steals.

Charged and ready to play, the Otahks used two runs to jump out to an early 13-3 lead. The run featured three three-pointers in the first eight minutes, from the team ranked 17th in the nation beginning this week for three pointers made per game. Samford tried to battle back coming within eight, 13-5, and then came within 11 twice at 20-9 and 22-11, but that was as close as they would come.

Sophomore forward Shannon Proffit drained a three-pointer from the baseline to spark at 13-0 run for the Otahkians to close out the half. Southeast headed to the lockers with a 36-13 advantage at the half.

Southeast laid on the full-court pressure hard in the first half making 11 steals and forcing 19 Bulldog turnovers, creating 21 second chance points for the Otahks. While their defense also only allowed three field goals in the first, forcing Samford to make their other seven points from the charity line.

The squad shot 48.1 percent from the field, while limiting SU to 15.8 percent shooting from the floor and no three-pointers.

The Bulldogs came out rested and on fire. SU took a 6-0 run to cut into the Otahks commanding lead and narrow the score to 36-22. Then White drove the lane, to draw the foul and make two from the line, ending SU's run.

SU hung in a little longer before Southeast used a 7-0 run to stretch the lead back to 23 points at 49-26. A Sami Jo Cotton three-pointer extended the squad's lead to 27 points with 6:32 to go. Then it was Cotton again to close the game and capture the largest lead of the game at 28 points with just 13 seconds remaining.

The Otahks proved why they are the league's leader in steals-- picking off a season-high 19 passes. The squad's high intensity defense also caused a season-high, 32 turnovers, allowing for 26 second chance points. However the Otahks were beat on the boards, 37-28.

Southeast closed the game shooting 44.2 percent from the field, while SU shot 31.1 percent.

Following White in scoring were teammates Cotton and Brown, chipping in 15 and 12 respectively.

Capturing the lead for the Bulldogs and a game-high seven boards, was freshman forward Alex Munday with 17.

The Otahkians finally return home to the Show Me Center after two weeks on the road. They will host three Ohio Valley Conference contests. Up first Southeast will play host to Tennessee-Martin next Thursday at 5:00 p.m. That contest will be followed up by home games against Murray State at 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 7 and Eastern Illinois at 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 10.