Nov. 10, 2003

Box Score

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State women's basketball team appears to be ready for regular season competition after downing its two exhibition opponents.

After topping Union University on Thursday, the Othaks easily handled the St. Louis Goldstars, a premiere team composed of former Division I all-stars. Southeast won it 93-56, and will now prepare to play Utah in the Preseason NIT.

Southeast was led in scoring by senior guard Kenja White, who finished with 17 points on seven of 12 from the floor. White scored all her points in just 16 minutes of play, and topped off the night with a crowd-pleasing 360-degree spin move for two impressive points.

Despite holding a lead throughout the entire game, Southeast started out slowly. The Otahks turned the ball over 13 times in the first half, and led only 42-29 at the half. Yashika Sidbury had a stellar first half offensively, as she had 10 points at the intermission, including two three-pointers. She added four more in the second half to finish with 14.

Sami Jo Cotton and Chandra Brown each scored 11 second-half points to help Southeast pull ahead in the second half. Both finish the game shooting six-of-10 from the floor. Cotton ended with 15 points, while Brown ended with 13 and eight boards.

Also posting double-digits was Sarah Costello, who ended with 10 points and seven assists.

For Goldstar, Sandy Fletcher led the way with 12 points, followed by LeAnn Teeple with 10. Southeast fans might remember Fletcher from her playing days with the Otahks. She was a member of the 1991 Southeast team that finished second in the NCAA Division II national tournament.

Southeast was strong on the glass, outrebounding its opponent 46-29, and had 17 offensive boards. Senior forward Carina Souza had a game-high 10 boards.

The Otahks will next play Utah in the Preseason NIT on Friday at 8 p.m. in Salt Lake City. Southeast was picked to finish first in the preseason OVC poll.