SIUE Cougars (3-12, 2-2 OVC)
at Eastern Illinois Panthers (12-3, 4-0 OVC)
Thursday, January 12th, 5:00 p.m.
Lantz Arena (5,300), Charleston, Ill. 

LAST GAME: Sophomore guard Sofie Lowis tied a career high in scoring with 22 points, but Southern Indiana took the lead two minutes into the contest and never looked back, downing the Cougars 79-59 on Saturday night at Screaming Eagles Arena. SIUE concluded the game shooting 31 percent (21-68) from the field. USI shot 39 percent (27-69) from the floor and 35 percent (7-20) from three-point territory. Southern Indiana outrebounded the Cougars 53-44 and had 21 assists compared to the Cougars' five. Madison Webb led SIUE with nine rebounds while Olivia Clayton and KK Rodriguez picked up four steals apiece. Rodriguez also contributed nine points.

FAMILAR FOE: Saturday marks the 34th meeting between SIUE and Eastern Illinois dating back to 1980. The Panthers have a 12-21 advantage in the series and have taken the last six meetings.

DO IT FOR FREE: The Cougars rank second in the OVC averaging 12.47 free throws made per game. SIUE also ranks second in free throw attempts per game at 18. Freshman guard Destine Duckworth leads the Cougars with a .929 free throw percentage this season (13-14). SIUE is 72-107 (.673) at the line in its last five games.

LOWIS IS LEADING: Lowis leads SIUE and ranks 11th in the OVC averaging 11.5 points per contest. She also ranks second in the league and 97th in the country with 96 three-point attempts. Her four three pointers on Jan. 5 vs. Tennessee State tied a season high (also Dec. 31 at SEMO).

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE: Thatha has recorded four double-doubles this season, including Dec. 31 at Southeast Missouri. She is averaging 14.8 points and 9.8 rebounds over her last five games. Thatha has scored in double-figures in four of her last five outings.

CRASH THE GLASS: Thatha stacks up third in the OVC averaging 2.13 offensive rebounds per game this season. Junior forward Clayton ranks eighth in the conference averaging 2.0 offensive rebounds per contest. Webb is tied for 20th in the league averaging 4.3 rebounds per game.

DISH IT AND TAKE IT: Rodriguez ranks eighth in the OVC averaging 2.92 assists per game. The 5-6 transfer from Tulsa leads SIUE with 38 this season. Rodriguez also ranks 12th in the conference averaging 1.77 steals per contest.