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Cape Girardeau, Mo. (January 14, 2004)- The Otahkians (7-7, 2-1 OVC) are ready to play host to conference opponent Tennessee State (0-11, 0-2 OVC) tomorrow evening, Jan. 15. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. in the Show Me Center. Southeast holds a slim margin in the overall series as they lead 13-11. The Otahkians were also victorious over the Lady Tigers in their last meeting as the squad topped TSU, 81-72 in a come from behind victory.

Scouting Southeast... The Otahkians are currently on a two game winning streak after they downed Eastern Illinois 79-66 on Tuesday. After a slow start, flat shooting, missed lay-ups, and 11 early turnovers, the Otahkians took the lead for good with 8:59 left in the first half. The Otahkians faltered a little in the second, but rebounded record their first true away victory on the season in Charleston, Ill. The Otahkians have had two roads wins, but they were played on neutral courts.

Leading the Otahkians on the evening was Sami Jo Cotton with 18 points. Three teammates recorded double-digits as Yashika Sidbury had 14, Sarah Costello had 13 and Kenja White had 10. Costello's jersey number 13 took on new meaning against EIU as she scored 13 and recorded the top helper position for the Otahkians for the 13th straight game, with four.

On the night the Lady Panthers enjoyed 66.7 percent shooting in the second to out shot Southeast 48.9 percent to 33.3 percent. The Otahkians were tough on boards as they out rebounded EIU, 39-31, allowing them 16 second half points to EIU's four.

Overall, pre-seaon OVC first team selection, White, is leading the scoring with 11.7 point per game. Newcomers Cotton and Chandra Brown are following closely behind, averaging 10.7 and 7.5 points per game, respectively.

Injury Update...Sophomore Tiffanne Ryan is back to practicing after being out for a few weeks with an ankle injury and saw one minute vs. EIU. Ryan will probably see time tonight.

Scouting Tennessee State...The Lady Tigers lost a 62-54 contest to Birmingham-Southern on Monday, were defeated by Jacksonville State, 89-67, on Thursday and fell to Samford, 63-38, on Saturday. The squad has struggled so far this season as they are on an 11-game losing streak. The 67 points scored by the Lady Tigers against JSU was the most scored by TSU this season. Odessa Kelly recorded her first double-double of the season with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Kelly hit 9-of-10 from the line in Tennessee State's two conference games last week. In their loss to Samford, Kisha Stewart led Tennessee State with 11 points while senior Odessa Kelly recorded another double digit rebound performance with 10 boards. Junior Lakisha Clay snatched a career and season-high five steals and contributed nine points.

The Lady Tigers are led by Stewart, averaging 10.5 points per game. On the glass it is Kelly pulling down 6.9 boards per game, ranking seventh in the league. Kelly is also the squad's second leading scorer, knocking in 9.3 points per game.

Up Next... The Otahkians hit the road for two weeks of away games, featuring four games. First Southeast will play Tennessee Tech on Jan. 22 at 5:00 p.m. in Cookevillle, Tenn.