Dec. 7, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - - Lori Chase and Carina Souza each scored 18 points to lead four players in double figures for Southeast Missouri State as the Otahkians defeated Samford, 89-48, in women's college basketball action at Seibert Hall. Southeast Missouri improved to 4-2 while Samford fell to 1-5.

Kenja White and Sarah Costello each scored 13 points for Southeast Missouri. Che' Walker led the Bulldogs with 12 points while Chelsee Insell added 11 points.

Southeast Missouri State outscored Samford, 50-25, in the second half. Samford committed a season-high 30 turnovers.

SEMO shot 59 percent from the field and 100 percent from the free-throw line in the second half. Trailing 39-23 at halftime, Samford only scored four points in the first six minutes of the second half. Southeast Missouri went on a 16-4 run to extend their lead to 55-29 with 14:21 left in the game. The Bulldogs were outscored 34-19 to the rest of the way to make for the final score.

The Bulldogs shot 47 percent in the first half but committed 18 turnovers against SEMO's stingy defense. The Otahkians had 11 steals in the first half.

Samford took an early 3-2 lead on a Noot Pittman free throw and lay-up by LaBrena Friend. Carina Souza scored three straight points to give Southeast Missouri a 5-3 lead with 14:51 left in the first half.

SEMO broke open a 7-7 tie with a 12-5 run to take a 19-12 lead with 8:01 remaining. Chelsee Insell's jumper cut Samford's deficit to 21-17 with 7:03 on the clock, but that was as close as the Bulldogs would get. The Otahkians closed out the first half with an 18-6 run to take the 39-23 halftime lead.

Lindsey Harris added eight points and while Andrea Ward and Noot Pittman each scored five points.

Samford has time off before playing at Alabama State next Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Montgomery.