YPSILANTI, Mich. – KK Rodriguez led the Cougars with 17 points, her fourth consecutive game in double-figures, but it came as SIUE dropped a 68-65 decision at Eastern Michigan Saturday.
SIUE falls to 1-4 on its 2023 campaign while Eastern Michigan captured its first win of the season and stands at 1-2.
Trailing by nine with 5:14 to play, Eastern Michigan used an 11-2 run to knot the game at 61 with 2:40 remaining. Halle Smith provided the Cougars a two-point lead 11 seconds later at 63-61 on a layup in the paint, but EMU answered with a three-pointer to take the lead at 64-63 with 34 seconds left.
Following an SIUE timeout, the Cougars missed a three-pointer of their own where the Eagles grabbed a defensive rebound and converted a layup opportunity in the paint with 13 seconds remaining.
Taking away the Cougars opportunity to tie the game on a three ball, EMU fouled Molly Sheehan, sending her to the line for a pair where she went 2-2. The Cougars also were forced to foul with 5 seconds remaining, where the Eagles went 2-2 on their shots from the charity stripe. A last chance effort for SIUE from deep was no good, ending the contest 68-65 in Eastern Michigan's favor.
The Cougars wrapped the game 39 percent (25-65) from the field and 42 percent (11-26) from three-point land. EMU shot 48 percent (28-58) overall and were 8-10 from the stripe. SIUE was perfect from the line on just four free throw opportunities.
Rodriguez led the Cougars' offense for the fourth straight game, shooting 7-17 overall and 2-4 from deep. The graduate guard scored 15 of her 17 points in the second half. She contributed four assists and one block.
Smith finished in double-figures for the second time this season with 10 points. She shot 5-11 overall and collected four of the Cougars' 32 total rebounds, all of which came on the offensive glass.
Freshman Ava Gugliuzza added nine points, all coming from beyond the arc. She finished 3-5 in the contest. Sheehan dished out four of SIUE's 17 total assists to lead the team. She also led SIUE with a career-high six boards. Sofie Lowis and Macy Silvey each contributed eight points.
SIUE will continue its three-game road swing on Monday with a visit to UD Arena for a meeting with the Dayton Flyers. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
