SIUE Cougars (3-16, 0-6 OVC)
at Southeast Missuoru (5-11, 2-3 OVC)
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 | 1:30 PM CT
Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Show Me Center
50TH SEASON OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The 2023-24 season marks the 50th season of women's basketball at SIUE. The Cougars own an all-time record of 687-653 since the program began in 1974.
LAST TIME OUT
SIUE women's basketball outscored Lindenwood 27-13 in the third quarter and Macy Silvey tallied a career-high 24 points, but the Lions held their lead in the fourth for a 79-73 final on Thursday night at Robert F. Hyland Arena. The Lions led by as many as 19 in the contest, but SIUE cut its deficit to two twice in the fourth quarter before Lindenwood came out on top, securing its first win against SIUE since joining the Ohio Valley Conference last season. Overall, SIUE shot 44 percent (25-57) while going 7-20 from three-point land and 16-20 at the charity stripe. Lindenwood went 51 percent (30-59) from the floor and 15-26 at the line while scoring 20 points off 18 SIUE turnovers. Silvey's career-high 24 points led the SIUE offense and marked the sophomore's 17th career game in double-figures. The guard also led the Cougars with eight rebounds, the fifth time she has commanded SIUE on the glass this season. Molly Sheehan turned in her eighth consecutive double-figure outing with 10 while Ava Stoller dished a season-high nine assists.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday marks the 49th meeting between the Cougars and Redhawks dating back to 1979. SEMO owns a 29-19 advantage in the series and 17-6 record at home against SIUE. Last season, the two schools split the series 1-1, but SIUE has taken three of the last four matchups.
DO IT FOR FREE
SIUE ranks second in the OVC and 47th in the NCAA with a 76.0 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throws made (291) and attempts at the stripe (383). Stoller leads SIUE with an 86.5 percentage (45-52) at the stripe, good for third in the league.
SHOOTERS SHOOT
SIUE ranks second in the OVC behind Western Illinois and 43rd in the NCAA with a 35.5 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league with 145 three-pointers made. Sheehan (38, 4th), Lowis (35, 5th), and Macy Silvey (33, t-7th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three-pointers made. The Cougars' 7.6 three-pointers made per game stacks up second in the OVC and 59th in the country. SIUE also ranks second in the OVC in offensive scoring at 71.3 points per contest.
NOT IN OUR HOUSE
SIUE's 61 total blocks are tied for second in the OVC. Halle Smith leads the Cougars and ranks fourth in the league averaging 1.2 blocks per game. Olivia Clayton's 1.1 blocks per game stack up sixth in the league. Against Harris-Stowe, the Cougars recorded a season-best nine blocks.
ATTACK THE GLASS
The Cougars lead the OVC with 696 rebounds. SIUE's 210 rebounds on the offensive glass rank second in the conference. Stoller leads the Cougars and ranks eighth in the OVC averaging 5.4 rebounds per game. She has grabbed five or more on 11 occasions.
SHARING IS CARING
SIUE's 15.0 assists per game rank third in the OVC. Against Harris-Stowe, the Cougars dished out 28 assists, tying the single-game program record. Stoller leads SIUE with 56 assists, averaging 3.5 per contest, good for sixth in the league.
SHEEHAN-DLES
Sheehan is averaging 15.7 points over her last six contests to lead SIUE. Against Western Illinois, the guard scored a career- high 21 points. She also leads the OVC with a 46.3 three-point percentage, good for eighth in the NCAA. The junior has dished out 27 assists over the last seven games. Last season, the guard ranked third on SIUE in points (215), second in assists (68), and first in free throw percentage (.905).
HALLE BUCKETS
Smith is averaging 11.2 points and 7.2 rebounds over her last five contests, including a double-double vs. Western Illinois (Dec. 31) where she set career high marks in points (21) and rebounds (13). She also has commanded SIUE on the glass in two of her last five appearances. The junior forward joined SIUE from Southeast Missouri where she spent the first two seasons of her collegiate career.
LEAN ON LOWIS
Sofie Lowis leads the Cougars averaging 10.7 points per game, good for 18th in the OVC. The junior owns a 31.3 three-point percentage (35-112). Against NIU, she set a new career high with six three-pointers made. The guard has converted three or more from three-point land in six games. Last season, she ranked second on SIUE in total points (343) and assists (68).
SILVEY LINING
Silvey ranks third on the Cougars averaging 9.3 points per contest. The sophomore has finished in double-figures eight times, including a career-high 24 points at Lindenwood on Jan. 18. The guard also is averaging 4.4 rebounds per contest and has collected five or more in 11 games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
