Lindenwood Lions (1-15, 0-5 OVC)
at SIUE Cougars (3-13, 2-3 OVC)
Saturday, January 14th, 3:00 p.m.
First Community Arena (4,000), Edwardsville, Illinois

LAST GAME:  Senior Forward Ajulu Thatha scored a career-high 32 points while grabbing 12 rebounds for a double-double, but Eastern Illinois scored 25 points off 20 SIUE turnovers to down the Cougars 88-79 on Thursday night at Lantz Arena. The Cougars finished the game shooting 41 percent (26-59) and won the rebounding battle 36-32 against the Panthers. Four Cougars finished the game scoring in double-figures: Thatha (32), Sofie Lowis (17), Molly Sheehan (10), and KK Rodriguez (10).

THATA'S CAREER NIGHT: Thatha's 32 points at Eastern Illinois marked the first time a Cougar eclipsed the 30-point mark since Shronda Butts scored 30 against Austin Peay on Feb. 16, 2016. Thatha finished the contest 8-12 from the field and 16-19 at the free throw line, setting a career high in free throws made.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE: Thatha has recorded five double-doubles this season, including last time out at Eastern Illinois. She is averaging 18.5 points and 10.2 rebounds over her last five games. The senior forward is tied for the conference lead in rebounds per game (7.25) and has scored in double-figures in four of her last five outings.

DO IT FOR FREE: The Cougars rank second in the OVC averaging 13.0 free throws made per game. SIUE also ranks second in free throw attempts per game at 18.56, which ranks 103rd in the NCAA. Thatha's 89 attempts leads the conference and ranks 47th in the country. Her 64 free throws made ranks second in the OVC and 59th nationally.

LET IT FLY: SIUE ranks third in the OVC averaging 19.8 three-point attempts per game. The Cougars rank fourth connecting on an average of 5.6 threes per game.

LOWIS IS LEADING: Lowis leads SIUE and ranks 10th in the OVC averaging 11.88 points per contest. She also ranks second in the league and 82nd in the country with 104 three-point attempts. Her four three pointers on Jan. 5 vs. Tennessee State tied a season high (also Dec. 31 at SEMO).

DISH IT AND TAKE IT: Rodriguez ranks eighth in the OVC averaging 3.14 assists per game. The 5-6 transfer from Tulsa leads SIUE with 44 this season. Rodriguez is tied for ninth in the conference averaging 1.8 steals per contest.