Box Score

Cape Girardeau, Mo. (November 22, 2002) - The Southeast Missouri State Otahkian basketball team won its season opener tonight and gave coach B.J. Smith a debut to remember as they defeated Henderson State by 30 in front of a crowd of almost 700 at the Show Me Center.

Henderson State took the opening tip off and former Otahkian TaKeela Ball drove the lane and scored for two of her game-high 20 points. Henderson would hold a lead until the 12 minute mark when a three pointer from junior guard Natasha Starkes gave Southeast a two-point lead.

The Otahks kept this lead for two more minutes, but a quick four-point run gave Henderson a two point lead. That would be the last lead the Lady Reddies would see as Southeast kicked it in high gear and went on a 16-4 run to end the half and take a 43-27 lead into the locker room.

The Otahks did not let Henderson get any closer as a 16 point halftime lead soon grew to 22 halfway through the second frame. Starkes finished off the game in high fashion as she hit a three-pointer with 13 seconds left to give the Otahks the 30-point victory.

Southeast was led offensively by senior guard LaShelle Porter as the Indiana native pulled in 13 points and eight rebounds, going 6-10 from the field and 1-1 from behind the arc. Junior forward Carina Souza had 11 points and four assists, while juniors Lori Chase, Sarah Costello, and Yashika Sidbury each had 10 points. Sidbury and Chase each had six rebounds apiece. Starkes had nine points, all on three-point baskets.

The Otahks, as a team, shot 55 percent from the field and they have gradually increased their shooting percentage in every game they've played this season. Smith said that's what he likes to see and should expect out of any team.

"I want to see that every game," Smith said. "That's what every coach likes to see this early in the season and improvement this early is a good sign. We'll get a good idea of what the team looks like when we go to Southwest Missouri on Tuesday."

Coach Smith and the Otahks will be on the road this Tuesday as they head to Springfield, Mo. to take on the Bears of Southwest Missouri. Tip off is slated for 7:05 p.m.