LAST GAME: The Cougars trailed by as many as 15 points against the NIU Huskies but rallied in the second half to take a 62-60 victory at NIU Convocation Center. A layup by KK Rodriguez with four seconds to go gave the Cougars the go-ahead bucket, allowing SIUE to secure its first victory of the season. The Cougars were 17-21 at the free throw line and shot 33 percent in the contest. Three players scored in double-figures, led by sophomore guard Molly Sheehan. Her 18 points were good for a new career high. Sofie Lowis added 17 points while Ajulu Thatha picked up her second double-double of the season. She scored 14 points while leading SIUE with 11 rebounds.

ROAD RUNNERS: The Cougars will play as the visitors in eight of their 11 nonconference games to start the season, including the next two. SIUE is currently amid its longest road swing of the season, playing six consecutive games away from Edwardsville.

ALL ABOUT THE BOARDS: SIUE ranks second in the conference averaging 35.0 rebounds per game this season. The Cougars 12.0 offensive rebounds rank second while their 23.0 defensive rebounds stack up third in the OVC.

BOARDS AND SCORES: Sophomore guard Sofie Lowis recorded a career-high seven rebounds while adding a season-best 20 points at Western Illinois on Dec. 11. Her 20-point outing was the second of her career. Lowis has also scored in double-figures in four of her last five games. She ranks 18th in the OVC averaging 9.8 points per contest.

SHOOT YOUR SHOT: Sophomore guard Molly Sheehan is tied for fifth in the OVC connecting on 1.7 three-pointers per contest. She leads the Cougars with 15 from deep. Sheehan's 18 points at NIU on Dec. 17 were good for a new career high.

DISH EM: Senior guard KK Rodriguez ranks ninth in the OVC averaging 2.6 assists per game. The 5-6 transfer from Tulsa leads SIUE with 18 this season.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior forward Ajulu Thatha was named the Ohio Valley Conference Co-Player of the Week on Nov. 29 after collecting a career-high 14 rebounds while adding 16 points vs. Xavier on Nov. 27. Her double- double marked the fourth of her career and fifth 10+ rebounding effort. Thatha's 6.0 rebounds per game stack up 7th in the conference. 

READY TO COMPETE IN MARCH: In its nonconference schedule, SIUE plays four games against power-five conference schools (Purdue, Iowa State, Louisville, and Washington).

AT THE HELM: Samantha Quigley Smith is in her second season in charge of SIUE She owns a 14-26 record with the Cougars and a combined collegiate record of 164-66 as head coach.