SIUE Cougars (4-19, 1-9 OVC)
at Morehead State Screaming Eagles (11-10, 6-4 OVC)
Thursday, February 8, 2024 | 5:00 PM CT
Morehead, Kentucky | Johnson Arena
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 688-656 since the program began in 1974.
LAST TIME OUT: The Cougars knotted the game at seven with 4:39 remaining in the first quarter, but UT Marin finished the opening period on a 10-0 run and never looked back to down SIUE, 75-46, on Saturday afternoon inside First Community Arena. The Cougars outscored UT Martin 16-11 in the second period, cutting their deficit to five at 28-23 entering halftime. The Skyhawks would close the third on a 15-0 run, outscoring SIUE 27-8 in the frame. The Cougars showed promise offensively in the final quarter, shooting 36 percent (5-14). However, the Skyhawks outscored SIUE by five to capture its third consecutive victory against the Cougars dating back to the 2022-23 season. SIUE shot 27 percent (14-52) overall and 3-19 from three-point territory while going 15-17 at the stripe. Macy Silvey led SIUE offensively, tallying 13 points on 6-11 shooting from the floor. She also led the Cougars' charge on the glass, grabbing eight rebounds. Halle Smith pitched in 10 points along with a pair of blocks.
SERIES HISTORY: Thursday marks the 23rd meeting between the Cougars and Skyhawks dating back to 2008. Morehead State owns a 13-9 advantage in the series and have taken the last two meetings, including a 77-64 win over SIUE on Jan. 13 at First Community Arena. The Cougars are 5-6 when traveling to Johnson Arena.
DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE ranks second in the Ohio Valley Conference and 33rd in the NCAA with a 77.0 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throws made (349) while stacking up second in attempts (453) at the stripe. Sheehan is 32-33 at the line (97.0) while Ava Stoller owns an 86.0 (49-57) free throw percentage.
SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE stacks up second in the OVC and 46th in the NCAA with a 35.4 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league in three-pointers made per game at 7.7, good for 51st in the nation. Sofie Lowis (48, 4th), Silvey (45, 6th), and Molly Sheehan (43, 8th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three-pointers made. SIUE ranks second in the OVC in offensive scoring at 69.4 points per contest.
SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 14.8 assists per game rank second in the OVC. Against Harris-Stowe, the Cougars dished out 28 assists, tying the single-game program record. Stoller leads SIUE with 71 assists, averaging 3.2 per contest, good for eighth in the league.
LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis leads the Cougars averaging 11.1 points per game, good for 16th in the OVC. The junior ranks fifth in the league in three-point percentage at 33.1. 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 eight games, including five or more on four occasions. Last season, she ranked second on SIUE in total points (343) and assists (68).
SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan leads SIUE over her last 12 games averaging 12.9 points. She has finished in double-figures in 10 of her last 12 games. Against Western Illinois, the guard scored a career-high 21 points. Last season, the guard ranked third on SIUE in points (215), second in assists (68), and first in free throw percentage (.905).
SILVEY LINING: Silvey ranks second on the Cougars averaging 10.0 points per contest. The sophomore has finished in double-figures 11 times, including a career-high 24 points at Lindenwood on Jan. 18. The guard also is averaging 4.7 rebounds per contest and has collected five or more in 13 games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.
HALLE BUCKETS: Smith is averaging 11.3 points and 5.9 rebounds over her last nine contests, including a double-double vs. Western Illinois (Dec. 31) where she set career high marks in points (21) and rebounds (13). She also leads SIUE with 32 blocks, good for third in the league and 69th in the NCAA. The junior forward joined SIUE from Southeast Missouri where she spent the first two seasons of her collegiate career.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
