EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE women's basketball erased a double-digit halftime deficit Saturday en route to a 73-66 victory over Southeast Missouri in Ohio Valley Conference action at First Community Arena.
SIUE improved to 6-8 overall and 2-1 in the OVC after playing its first contest in two weeks.
SIUE Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith was pleased with the come-from-behind performance on "We Back Pat" Day.
"Our pressure really made them struggle in the second half," said Smith. "We forced a lot of turnovers after the first half. I think we had forced nine and then to finish the game with 27. Someone like Prima Chellis at the top of that pressure, really making things difficult for their guards was a key in the second half and being able to pull away like that."
The Cougars watched their freshman Sofie Lowis and fifth-year senior Allie Troeckler light up the scoreboard. Lowis pumped in five three-pointers and led all scorers with 21 points. Troeckler matched her career high with 20 points and made it double-double No. 8 in her career by adding a game-high 10 rebounds.
"It's been two weeks, and I was just excited to come out and play with my team again," said Lowis. "I think I'm just out there playing with everyone and it's just a fun time."
Southeast Missouri dropped to 4-13 overall and 0-6 in the OVC. Taelour Pruitt powered the Redhawks' offense with 20 points.
The Cougars and the Redhawks were even after one period, but Southeast Missouri pushed it to a 10-point lead at halftime by nine points in the second period from Pruitt and eight more from Deanay Watson.
Lowis starred in the first half with all of her treys, shooting 5 of 8 from three-point range.
"Obviously a little bit low on numbers for us only having nine available, so she was just embracing the opportunity ahead of her," said Smith. "She didn't play like a freshman today."
SIUE's third period was much like SEMO's second period with a 10-point deficit. The game was tied once again after three periods on a pair of free throws from Troeckler.
The difference maker in the fourth period was Troeckler, who was honored pregame for her 1,000th career point along with teammate Gabby Nikitinaite. She would score eight points in the fourth period and proved strong in the paint.
"That was a good comeback win," said Troeckler. "We haven't been able to do that this year. So it's just really exciting."
SEMO committed 27 turnovers and lost the rebounding battled to the Cougars 42-37.
Mikia Keith also turned in a strong performance for SIUE with 11 points and a team-leading five assists.
SIUE has little time to regroup before heading to Austin Peay for a 6 p.m. makeup game Monday in Clarksville, Tennessee.
NOTES: SIUE women's basketball played in the "We Back Pat" game Saturday, honoring the legacy of Hall of Fame Coach Pat Summitt. The Pat Summitt Foundation was formed to help find a cure of Alzheimer's disease and provide support services to patients, their families and caregivers. SIUE Assistant Coach Ariel Massengale played for Coach Summitt.
Sam on We Back Pat day...
"Ariel (Massengale) played for Pat Summitt and it's "We Back Pat" day and also Martin Luther King Jr. Day coming up - such pivotal leaders in everything that we do, not only just our nation with Martin Luther King but also Pat Summitt and the game of women's basketball."
Ariel on playing for Pat...
"It was an honor and a dream come true to wear orange and play for her and walk the halls with her and be coached by her. She's a legend and to be a part of her coaching tree and a part of the 161 that got to wear orange. It's a blessing and something I carry with the most pride and honor."
