SIUE Cougars (3-10, 0-0 OVC)
at Eastern Illinois Panthers (3-10, 0-0 OVC)
Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 | 5:00 PM CT
First Community Arena | Edwardsville, Illinois
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 687-647 since the program began in 1974.
PROMOTIONS: Friday marks the first of three "618 Days presented by Metro East Mega Storage" games where fans can purchase tickets for $6.18. To redeem this promotion, purchase your tickets online here. During the checkout process, enter the promo code "618game" to receive the discount. Tickets must be purchased in advance to receive the discount.
There will be an exclusive 618 tee shirt giveaway for the first 500 fans attending the game. Be sure to arrive early to receive your shirt while supplies last.
LAST TIME OUT: SIUE women's basketball scored over 100 points for the first time in over 15 years with a 106-38 victory over Harris-Stowe on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at First Community Arena. The Cougars shot 60 percent (36-60) from the field, the first time SIUE has shot 60 percent or better in a game in the Division I era. SIUE shot 59 percent (16-27) from three-point range, the best shooting percentage from behind the arc this season. The Cougar's 16 three-pointers ties the program record for most threes in a game. SIUE also dished out 28 assists, tying a program record set during the 2007-08 season. Six student-athletes recorded points in double-figures, the first occurrence of this feat since the 2008-09 season: Molly Sheehan (20), Ava Stoller (19), Brianna Wooldridge (16), Sofie Lowis (14), Macy Silvey (13), and Lezhauria Williams (11).
SERIES HISTORY: Friday marks the 35th meeting between the Cougars and Panthers dating back to 1980. SIUE took the last meeting between the two schools last season on Feb. 11, 2023, handing EIU its first conference loss of the season in an 82-77 victory at First Community Arena. Prior to last season's home victory, Eastern Illinois had taken seven straight matches against the Cougars. When playing at home against the Panthers, the Cougars are 7-13 all time.
DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks 29th in the NCAA with a .747 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throw attempts (266) and free throws made (206). Stoller's .878 percentage (36-41) at the stripe ranks third in the league. She has converted 21 consecutive attempts at the line.
SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE ranks second in the OVC and 27th in the country with a .373 three-point percentage. The Cougars lead the league with 103 three-pointers made. Lowis (30, 3rd) and Silvey (25, 6th) rank in the top six of the league in three-pointers made. The Cougars' 7.9 three-pointers per game ranks second in the OVC and 58th in the country. SIUE also ranks second in offensive scoring at 72.7 points per contest.
NOT IN OUR HOUSE: SIUE leads the OVC with 47 total blocks. Against Harris-Stowe, the Cougars recorded a season-best nine blocked shots. Olivia Clayton tallied a career-high six blocks vs. HSSU and ranks third in the conference averaging 1.4 per game. Halle Smith is averaging 1.2 blocks per game, good for fifth in the league.
ATTACK THE GLASS: The Cougars have collected 469 rebounds, good for second in the OVC. SIUE's 142 rebounds on the offensive glass are tied for second in the conference. Stoller leads the Cougars and is tied for 12th in the OVC averaging 4.8 rebounds per game.
SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 15.1 assists per game ranks third in the OVC. Against Harris-Stowe, the Cougars dished out 28 assists, tying the single-game program record. Stoller leads SIUE with 40 assists, stacking up seventh in the league.
LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis has scored in double-figures in six of her last seven games, averaging 14.4 points per game during that span. Her 11.1 points per game this season ranks second on SIUE and 15th in the OVC. The junior owns a .395 three-point percentage (30-76), good for fifth in the league. 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).
AVA SCORER: Stoller ranks third on the Cougars averaging 10.7 points per game, tied for 18th in the OVC. She is averaging 4.8 rebounds per game, good for second on the squad and tied for 12th in the OVC. Over her last three games, the freshman is averaging 15.7 points per contest. 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.
SILVEY LINING: Silvey ranks fourth on the Cougars averaging 9.0 points per game. The sophomore has finished in double-figures six times, including a season-high 18 points against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 26. The guard is averaging 4.1 rebounds per contest and has collected five or more in seven games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.
SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan is averaging 11.7 points over her last three contests. In her last two starts, she scored 11 points at Loyola Chicago before turning in a career-high 20 points vs. Harris-Stowe. The junior also leads the Cougars with 11 assists over the last three games. Last season, Sheehan ranked third on SIUE in points (215), second in assists (68), and first in free throw percentage (.905).
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
