SIUE Cougars (1-2, 0-0 OVC)
at Illinois State Redbird (1-1, 0-0 VALLEY)
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 | 11:00 AM CT
CEFCU Arena | Normal, Illinois
LAST TIME OUT: Graduate guard KK Rodriguez paced the Cougars offensively and defensively, scoring a career-high 33 points while grabbing a career-best 14 rebounds as SIUE downed Evansville, 91-83 on Sunday afternoon inside First Community Arena. Rodriguez's double-double marked the first of her collegiate career. Rodriguez concluded the contest 11-21 from the field, 1-4 from three-point range, and 10-10 at the free throw line. SIUE finished the game shooting 46 percent (33-72) from the floor while going an impressive 20-23 at the free throw line.
SERIES HISTORY: Sunday marks the ninth meeting between the Cougars and Redbirds dating back to 2010. ISU leads the series 5-3 and have taken the last two contests between the two schools.
KK'S CAREER GAME: Rodriguez's 33 points and 14 rebounds Nov. 12 vs. Evansville marked career highs for the graduate. She became just the second player in the Division I era to score 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in a single game (also Ajulu Thatha). Her 33 points are tied for the seventh most in the country this season. She leads SIUE averaging 17.3 points per contest.
AVA SCORER: Freshman Ava Stoller ranks second on the Cougars averaging 12.7 points per game. The guard has finished in double-figures in all three of SIUE's contests. Stoller joins SIUE this season from St. Petersburg HS where she led the Green Devils' scoring efforts with 25.5 points and 4.4 rebounds as a senior.
DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE leads the Ohio Valley Conference in free throw percentage through the first week of the season at 80.6 percent (50-62).
50TH SEASON OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: The 2023-24 season marks the 50th season of women's basketball at SIUE. The Cougars own an all-time record of 685-639 since the program began in 1974.
READY TO COMPETE IN MARCH: In its nonconference schedule, SIUE will play four games against opponents who finished the 2022-23 season in RPI top 100 (Oklahoma State, Illinois State, Middle Tennessee, and Michigan).
TABBED SEVENTH: The preseason Ohio Valley Conference poll predicted a seventh-place finish for the Cougars. Tennessee Tech was selected as regular season champions with 16-first place votes.
AT THE HELM: Samantha Quigley Smith is beginning her third season in charge of the Cougars and 12th season as a head coach. She owns a 23-42 record at SIUE and is 15-21 against conference opponents. All-time, Coach Sam is 207-138.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
