Box Score

Murray, Ky. (February 15, 2003) - The Lady Racers of Murray State scored the first six points of the game tonight, but Southeast came right back and scored 23 of the next 28 points to jump out to a 23-22 lead en route to a 62-53 victory tonight in Murray. The win moves Southeast to 15-8 over all and 9-3 in the OVC. Murray falls to 5-17, and 1-10 in the conference.

Southeast went down quick in the first half as Murray guard Brittany Park hit two quick three's forcing a B.J. Smith timeout. Smith substituted his entire lineup and that sparked the Otahks as they went on a 23-5 run taking a 23-11 lead with five minutes left. They went on to lead 29-18 at the break.

Junior forward Yashika Sidbury had 11 points at the break as she was 4-7 from the field and 3-5 from behind the arc. Park had 11 points at the half for the Lady Racers. Southeast out rebounded the Racers at the half 24-14 and out-shot them 40 to 21 percent.

Murray came out of the locker room on fire as they gave the Otahks a taste of their own medicine going on a 13-2 run to start the half and bring the game to its second tie of the day.

Sophomore forward Miah Shelford drove the lane and hit a layup to re-take the lead for Southeast. The lead would grow no larger than three for the next five minutes as both teams traded baskets. However, a three pointer from freshman Shannon Proffit sparked the Otahks as Southeast increased its lead to 11 with five minutes left. They would not relinquish the lead and put away Murray by nine.

After shooting only 21 percent in the first half, the Lady Racers shot 38 in the second half and outscored Southeast to make the game a close contest. Southeast shot 44 percent in the second frame and 42 overall in the game. They made 9-23 three's and now are just six three point baskets away from tying the single-season record.

Southeast was led on the night from Sidbury's 18-point performance. Murray managed to hold the team's top two shooters in Lori Chase and Kenja White to nine points between the two, but Sidbury came off the bench to spark the victory. Sidbury was 7-13 from the field and 4-8 from behind the arc. Freshman guard Tiffanne Ryan had 11 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes for the Otahks. Chase collected a team-high seven rebounds on the night.

Park led the Lady Racers with 18 points on the night as senior Beth Schnakenberg chipped in for 14 of her own.

Southeast now will travel to Martin, Tenn. on Monday to take on the Skyhawks of Tennessee-Martin. Martin won tonight at home over Eastern Illinois. They move to .500 in the conference at 6-6. With a win at Martin, and a loss by Morehead State at home on Monday against Eastern Kentucky, Southeast would clinch at least third place in the conference and a home-court first-round game in the OVC Tournament.