Box Score

Nashville, Tenn. (March 7, 2003) - The Southeast Missouri State Otahkian basketball team made history today as it defeated the Golden Eaglettes of Tennessee Tech 78-65. The win marked the first time a Southeast women's team made it to the finals of the OVC Tournament and they became the first team ever to defeat Bill Worrell and Tennessee Tech three times in one season.

Southeast started slow and let Tech get off to a 5-0 lead. However, they soon fought back and took the lead at 6-5. They relinquished the lead once more in the half at 12-11, but the Otahks came back and took the lead for good and took a 37-32 lead into the locker room at the half.

The Otahks got a great first half from senior forward Lori Chase. Chase had 12 points on 5-7 shooting and 1-1 from the charity stripe. The team made 5-13 treys in the first half and shot 46 percent from the field. They forced 10 Tech turnovers and had seven steals in the half.

Tech super freshman Emily Christian went down with a minute and a half left in the first frame. Guard Tynisha Alexander drove the lane, but tripped and ran into Chase, who in turn fell backwards onto Christian turning her knee. Christian was helped off the court and taken to the locker room. Christian would stay in the locker room for the entire halftime period before limping back out with her knee heavily taped.

Southeast came out in the second half and took advantage of the injured Christian. They quickly jumped out to a 14 point lead just five minutes into the second half. The lead would stay in double digits for all but one possession of the half when Tech cut the lead to eight. The lead eventually ended up at 13 as the Otahkians won and advanced to the finals of the OVC Tournament.

Southeast was led by Chase as the senior poured in 20 points and had six rebounds. She was 6-10 from the field and a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. Junior guard Kenja White had 18 points and six assists as she was 3-6 from behind the arc and 5-6 from the line. Junior forward Yashika Sidbury had 10 points and four boards as she was 4-8 from the field. Sophomore forward Miah Shelford had seven points and six rebounds off the bench and senior guard LaShelle Porter had nine points as she played lights-out defense for the Otahks.

Southeast now moves on to play Austin Peay at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Gaylord Center. The game will be televised on Fox Sports South Television.