SIUE Cougars (2-8, 0-0 OVC)
at Xavier Musketeers (0-8, 0-0 Big East)
Friday, December 15, 2023 | 6:00 PM CT
Cincinnati, Ohio | Cintas Center
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 686-645 since the program began in 1974.
LAST TIME OUT: SIU Carbondale took the opening points of the contest and never looked back to down SIUE, 77-53, while taking a 4-3 lead in the all-time series on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the Banterra Center. The Cougars shot 30 percent (17-57) overall and 2-18 from three-point range. At the free throw line, the Cougars went 17-22. SIU Carbondale shot 44 percent (28-64) from the floor and 40 percent (6-15) from deep. The Salukis outrebounded the Cougars 44-37, including 17 on the offensive glass to score 20 points off second chance opportunities. The Salukis also forced 27 turnovers from the Cougars.
SERIES HISTORY: Friday marks the second meeting between the Cougars and Musketeers dating back to last season. On Nov. 22, 2022, SIUE entered the locker room up eight at 38-30, but Xavier reclaimed its lead nearing the end of the third quarter and held the advantage for the remainder of the contest at First Community Arena.
DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks 30th in the country with a .775 free throw percentage. The Cougars also rank second in the OVC in free throw attempts (200) and free throws made (155). KK Rodriguez's .841 percentage stacks up fourth in the league while Ava Stoller's .848 percentage at the stripe ranks fifth.
SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE ranks second in the OVC and 69th in the country with a .347 three-point percentage. The Cougars have converted on 75 shots from deep, also good for second in the league. Three players appear in the top five of the league in three-pointers made: Rodriguez (20, 4th), Sofie Lowis (19, t-5th), and Macy Silvey (19, t-5th). SIUE also ranks second in offensive scoring average at 72.2 points per contest.
NOT IN OUR HOUSE: SIUE ranks fourth in the league with 28 total blocks. Halle Smith leads the Cougars with 11, good for third in the conference. Olivia Clayton has tallied 10, which ranks fourth in the OVC.
ATTACK THE GLASS: The Cougars have collected 359 rebounds, good for fourth in the OVC. SIUE's 108 rebounds on the offensive glass also rank fourth in the league. Along with Rodriguez's 49 (4th), Stoller has grabbed 47 rebounds, good for 10th in the league. Silvey's 44 rebounds stack up 19th in the conference.
SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 14.3 assists per game rank second in the OVC. Rodriguez's 3.3 assists per game lead the Cougars and rank sixth in the league. Stoller is averaging 3.0 assists per contest, tied for seventh in the conference.
DID IT AGAIN: Rodriguez finished with 13 points at SIU Carbondale last Wednesday, marking her ninth consecutive game scoring in double-figures. She has finished with 30 or more in four contests.
LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis has scored in double-figures in three out of her last four appearances, averaging 11.8 points during that span. Her 9.0 points per game ranks third on SIUE and owns a .358 shooting percentage (19-53) from beyond the arc. Against NIU, she set a new career high with six three-pointers. Last season, she ranked second on SIUE in total points (343) and assists (68).
SILVEY LINING: Silvey ranks third on the Cougars and 21st in the OVC averaging 9.3 points per game. The sophomore has finished in double-figures five times, including a season-high 18 points against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 26. The guard is averaging 4.4 rebounds per contest and has collected five or more in seven of SIUE's last 10 games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.
AVA SCORER: Stoller ranks fourth on the Cougars averaging 8.3 points per game. She is averaging 4.7 rebounds per game, good for second on the squad and 11th in the OVC. Stoller joins SIUE this season from St. Petersburg HS where she led the Green Devil's' scoring efforts with 25.5 points and 4.4 rebounds as a senior.
LIV IN THE PAINT: Since transitioning to a bench role, Clayton is averaging 7.8 points 4.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game over her last five appearances. Last time out at SIU Carbondale, she commanded the Cougars on the boards for the first time this season with a season-high seven rebounds. Last season, the forward averaged 5.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per contest.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
