Game #15
SIUE Cougars (3-11, 2-1 OVC)
at Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (7-7. 1-2 OVC)
Saturday, January 5th, 5:00 PM
Screaming Eagles Arena (4,800), Evansville, Indiana

LAST GAME:  KK Rodriguez collected a career-high seven rebounds while three Cougars scored in double-figures as SIUE defeated Tennessee State 76-69 on Thursday evening at First Community Arena. SIUE grabbed the opening five points in the second quarter and never looked back, holding its lead for the remainder of the contest. The Cougars took an 11-point lead, their largest lead of the night midway through the second on a 9-0 run. SIUE forced a season-high 25 turnovers while turning in its most assists in a game this season with 20. The Cougars finished the game shooting 44 percent from the field and 6-16 from deep. Senior forward Ajulu Thatha led SIUE's scoring efforts with 17. Rodriguez added 16 while Sofie Lowis contributed 13.

FAMILAR FOE: Saturday marks the 51st meeting between SIUE and USI dating back to 1981. Both schools were members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Cougars and Screaming Eagles last squared off on Feb. 21, 2008. SIUE has taken the last four meetings.

DO IT FOR FREE: The Cougars rank second in the OVC averaging 12.36 free throws made per game. SIUE ranks third in free throw attempts per game at 17.57. SIUE is 81-115 (.704) at the line in its last five games.

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 5.8 threes per game.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE: Thatha has recorded four double-doubles this season, including Dec. 31 at Southeast Missouri. Thatha's double-figure rebounding effort against the Redhawks marked her seventh this season and 28th of her career. Thatha is averaging 15.4 ppg over her last five games

DISH IT AND TAKE IT: Rodriguez ranks eighth in the OVC averaging 3.2 assists per game. The 5-6 transfer from Tulsa leads SIUE with 38 this season. Rodriguez also ranks 13th in the conference averaging 1.6 steals per contest.

LOWIS IS LEADING: Lowis leads SIUE and ranks 13th in the OVC averaging 10.6 points per contest. She also ranks second in the league with 78 three-point attempts. Her four three pointers last time out vs. Tennessee State tied a season high.

SHOOT YOUR SHOT: Lowis ranks fifth in the OVC connecting on 1.8 three-pointers per contest and leads SIUE with 25 from deep. Sophomore guard Molly Sheehan is tied for sixth in the league averaging 1.6 makes from behind the arc. Sheehan's 18 points at NIU on Dec. 17 marked a career high.

AT THE HELM: Samantha Quigley Smith is in her second season in charge of SIUE. She owns a 16-29 record with the Cougars and a combined collegiate record of 166-70 as head coach.