Xavier Musketeers (5-1, 0-0 BIG EAST)
at SIUE Cougars (0-4, 0-0 OVC)
Sunday, November 27th, 1:00 PM CT
First Community Arena (4,000), Edwardsville, Illinois
LAST GAME: The Cougars fell 94-49 at First Community Arena last Saturday against Memphis, who held SIUE to 18 points in the first half. SIUE outscored the Tigers 23-18 in the third and connected on 57 percent of its shots (8-for-14). Freshman guard Macy Silvey led the Cougars with 11 points. SIUE also recorded a season-best 10 assists in the contest, led by KK Rodriguez with four. All 15 SIUE players who suited up saw minutes.
GAME OF TWO HALVES: The Cougars have scored 138 of their 207 total points (67 percent) through four games in the second half. SIUE has been outscored 192-69 in the first half.
BEEN A WHILE: SIUE is 0-4 to start the season for the first time since 2010-11.
NI-YEAH: Junior Guard Niya Danfort leads the Cougars with 34 points through her first three games this season. The 5-5 transfer from Rend Lake CC also has recorded 14 rebounds, good for second on SIUE.
ROAD RUNNERS: The Cougars will play as the visitors in eight of their 11 nonconference games to start the season, including six straight before conference play. SIUE is home against Eastern Michigan, Memphis, and Xavier.
READY TO COMPETE IN MARCH: In its nonconference schedule, SIUE plays four games against power-five conference schools (Purdue, Iowa State, Louisville, and Washington).
TABBED SIXTH: The preseason OVC poll predicted a sixth-place finish for the Cougars this season. Tennessee Tech was selected as regular season champions with 11 first-place votes.
AT THE HELM: Samantha Quigley Smith is in her second season in charge of the Cougars. She owns a 13-22 record at SIUE and a combined collegiate record of 163-62 as head coach.
