Dec. 5, 2003

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - The Otahkians return home after a tough three-game road series, in which they went 1-2. The squad is 1-0 on the season at home as they look to extend their home winning streak against Southern Arkansas, Saturday Dec. 6. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. at the Show Me Center.

Scouting Southeast... The Otahkians (2-3) began their three-game trip in Norman Okla., where they faced the No. 19 OU Sooners. Despite a strong physical effort by Southeast, the Otahkians just couldn't seem to find their rhythm as they fell 83-48.

After their disappointing loss, the Otahkians traveled to Corpus Christi, Tex. to take part in the Flint Hills Resources Islander Classic for the Thanksgiving Holiday. First Southeast took on Bowling Green State. The two teams started out slow as they allowed 4:17 to tick off the clock before Otahkian Sarah Costello scored the first points, draining a three-pointer. Southeast led throughout the entire first half as they even stretched their lead to 13, before BGSU cut it down with five unanswered points to go to intermission 36-27 Southeast. Southeast struggled offensively in the second, as they fell 70-60.

Southeast bounced back to show their talent in the second game of the tournament with a decisive 47-point victory. The Otahkians pounded the Lady Panthers of Prairie View A&M 85-37. The squad played strong defense as they forced the Lady Panthers to make 31 turnovers. The team dominated in the lane as they brought down a season-high 56 boards and out scored PVAMU 46 to 6 in the paint.

After the tournament, senior guards Kenja White and Sarah Costello were awarded with All-tournament honors for their impressive performances. White scored 37-points in the two-game stint, including a season-high 21 against Prairie View. Costello led the way in assists, dishing out five each game. Against Bowling Green, Costello shot a perfect 100 percent from beyond the arch, making 2-of-2 three pointers. She also scored a season-high, 15-points, against Prarie View.

Leading the way for the Otahkians is senior Kenja White, averaging 12.6 points per game and leading the team in scoring in the past three contests. On the boards it is newcomer Chandra Bown leading the way as she is pulling down 6.4 per game.

Scouting Southern Arkansas... The Lady Muleriders (5-0) are coming into tonight's game with their best start to a season since their 1987-88 campaign in which they won their first 11 straight. Thus far the squad as a perfect 5-0 record as they match-up against the Otahkians.

The squad is coming off a 20-point victory over Arkansas Baptist (7-9), 82-62. The squad has also topped Jarvis Christian College twice, the University of North Alabama and the University of Montevello.

The young SAU squad is led in scoring by redshirt freshman center Kim Davis, averaging 14.8 points per game. She is also averaging a double-double, bringing down 10 rebounds per contest to couple with her scoring. Also in the paint will be sophomore forward Sharonda Davis, who is tops on the squad with 11.6 boards. Brook Grisby will run the Lady 'Rider offense as she is averaging 4 assists per game.

Up Next... Southeast will stay home to host Northern Illinois on Monday Dec. 15. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Show Me Center.