Northern Illinois Huskies (3-4, 0-0 MAC)
at SIUE Cougars (1-7, 0-0 OVC)
Sunday, December 3, 2023 | 1:00 PM CT
First Community Arena | Edwardsville, Illinois
LAST TIME OUT: Molly Sheehan (14), Sofie Lowis (14), and KK Rodriguez (12) each scored in double-figures, but Michigan overpowered the Cougars, 103-59, on Wednesday night at the Crisler Center. The Cougars and Wolverines went toe-to-toe through the first five minutes and 20 seconds of the first quarter, knotted at 12 before a media timeout. Following the break, Michigan used a 20-3 run over the next eight minutes and 10 seconds to run away with the contest. Michigan concluded the game shooting 57 percent (39-69) from the floor while holding the Cougars to 31 percent (18-58) overall. The Wolverines outrebounded SIUE, 50-27 while forcing 19 turnovers. The Cougars forced 16 turnovers, 10 of which came in the first half, but Michigan scored 23 points off its turnovers compared to SIUE's four.
SERIES HISTORY: Sunday marks the ninth meeting between the Cougars and Huskies dating back to 1980. NIU owns a 6-2 advantage in the series and have taken two of the three contests in Edwardsville. Last season on Dec. 17, 2022, SIUE picked up its first win of the season on the road at NIU, downing the Huskies, 62-60. Rodriguez pushed the Cougars to victory, converting a layup in the paint with four seconds to go.
NATIONAL ATTENTION: Rodriguez garnered national attention from the Associated Press's National Player of the Week, listing the graduate student as a player to keep an eye on Nov. 28. The St. Louis native ranks fifth in the NCAA in total points (173), seventh in free throw attempts (53), ninth in free throws made (44), 16th in three-point percentage (.531), and 14th in scoring average (21.6). Her 42 rebounds rank sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference while her .463 shooting percentage also stacks up sixth. She also owns a .830 free throw percentage, good for second in the league.
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 685-644 since the program began in 1974.
SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE ranks third in the OVC averaging 7.8 three-pointers made per game. Rodriguez (17, 2nd), Macy Silvey (15, t-3rd), and Lowis (11, t-8th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three's made. The Cougars also rank third in scoring offense at 72.5 points per game.
NOT IN OUR HOUSE: Halle Smith leads the Cougars and ranks second in the conference with 10 blocks, good for 85th in the country. Clayton's 0.8 blocks per game stacks up seventh in the OVC.
ATTACK THE GLASS: The Cougars' 35.1 rebounds per game stack up fourth in the OVC. Along with Rodriguez's 42 (5th), Silvey and Ava Stoller have collected 35 boards each, tied for ninth in the league.
DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE leads the OVC in free throw percentage and ranks 28th in the NCAA at 79.8 percent (120-156). Rodriguez ranks second in the league at .830 while Stoller ranks fourth at .815.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
