EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE women's basketball scored over 100 points for the first time in nearly 15 years with a 106-38 victory over Harris-Stowe on Wednesday night at First Community Arena. Six student-athletes recorded points in double-figures, the first occurrence of this feat since the 2008-09 season.
"I'm really proud of our group and how we bounced back from this past weekend," Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith said. "We did a really nice job executing, hitting some goals we set before the game."
SIUE concludes its nonconference season at 3-10. Harris Stowe falls to 2-4.
The Cougars entered the locker room up 46 points at 61-15, the first time SIUE has scored 60 or more in a half since the second half vs. Missouri Baptist on Jan. 3, 2008. At the break, SIUE had three players in double-figures.
"We were balanced in scoring and took our time in finding open teammates," added Smith. "It's easy to be selfish instead of making the extra pass to make a great look for a teammate, or a great look back to yourself."
After halftime, SIUE took its largest lead of the night at 74 points midway through the fourth quarter. The Cougars shot 60 percent (36-60) from the field, the first time SIUE has shot 60 percent or better in a game since the 2006-07 season.
The Cougars shot 59 percent (16-27) from three-point range, the best shooting percentage from behind the arc this season. SIUE's 16 three-pointers ties the program record for most threes in a game.
"We were patient offensively and gave ourselves opportunities to find teammates open to take a good shot," said Smith.
From the free throw line, the Cougars went 18-24 (75 percent). SIUE outrebounded the Hornets 42-30 while forcing 22 turnovers, resulting in 34 points. The Cougars also dished out 28 assists, tying a program record set during the 2007-08 season.
Molly Sheehan scored 20 points to lead the Cougars, going 7-12 from the floor and 5-10 from long range. Sheehan and Ava Stoller co-led SIUE with seven assists each. Stoller added 19 points, tying a season high mark set Monday at Loyola Chicago. The freshman shot 8-12 overall while going 3-4 from three-point land. Stoller also led SIUE with three of the Cougars' 11 steals.
Brianna Wooldridge turned in career-high marks in points (16) and rebounds (9). Six of her nine rebounds came on the offensive end of the floor. Sofie Lowis (14), Macy Silvey (13), and Lezhauria Williams (11) rounded out SIUE's individual double digit scoring efforts.
Olivia Clayton added nine points, seven rebounds, and a career high six blocks, the most by an individual in the Ohio Valley Conference this season. Halle Smith pitched in a pair of blocks.
Harris-Stowe was led by Samara Swire's 18 points.
"It's been a challenging nonconference slate," said Smith. "That's something we have done all three years that we've been here as a staff. We schedule a tough slate to prepare us for the OVC. We are excited for the opportunity to start the conference season with a clean slate after recharging our batteries during break. There's an OVC season ahead of us that is open for the taking. We are excited about that."
SIUE returns to action after the holiday break with the start of OVC play at home on Friday, Dec. 29 against Eastern Illinois. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
