SIUE Cougars (3-11, 0-1 OVC)
vs. Western Illinois Leathernecks (9-2, 0-0 OVC)
Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 | 1:00 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 687-648 since the program began in 1974.

PROMOTIONS: Fans can purchase a pair of double-header tickets for the men's and women's contests online for $20.24 with the promo code "2024". Stick around during the men's game where one lucky fan will have the opportunity to make a full-court putt for $10,000, presented by Cassens and Sons.

LAST TIME OUT: Sofie Lowis turned in a career-high 26 points as SIUE women's basketball fell to Eastern Illinois, 80-74, in the Ohio Valley Conference opener on Friday night at First Community Arena. The Cougars led the game for 33 minutes, taking their largest lead of the contest at 11 with just under nine minutes remaining in the second period. Overall, the Cougars shot 45 percent (29-65) from the field, 6-18 from three-point territory, and 10-11 at the free throw line. Eastern Illinois shot 44 percent (28-63) while going 18-25 at the stripe. Both sides tallied 38 rebounds in the contest, while Eastern Illinois earned a 17-15 edge on the offensive glass and scored 21 points off second chance opportunities, compared to SIUE's 16. Lowis's 26 points marked the junior's ninth double-figure scoring effort of the season and 29th of her career. Molly Sheehan (14) and Macy Silvey (11) also scored in double-digits.

SERIES HISTORY: Sunday marks the 13th meeting between the Cougars and Leathernecks dating back to 1980. Western Illinois owns a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series. Last season, the two schools met for a nonconference matchup in Macomb, Illinois, where WIU edged SIUE, 83-77. Lowis led the Cougars' scoring in the contest with 20 points, the first 20-point outing of her career. At First Community Arena, SIUE is 3-3 against Western Illinois in the all-time series. 

DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks 22nd in the NCAA with a .780 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throw attempts (277) and free throws made (216). Ava 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 behind Western Illinois and 31st in the nation with a .371 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league with 109 three-pointers made. Lowis (33, 2nd) and Silvey (26, 7th) rank in the top seven of the league in three-pointers made. The Cougars' 7.8 three-pointers per game ranks second in the OVC and 63rd in the NCAA. SIUE also ranks second in the OVC in offensive scoring at 72.8 points per contest.

NOT IN OUR HOUSE: SIUE stacks up second in the OVC with 51 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 league averaging 1.4 per game. Halle Smith is averaging 1.3 blocks per game, good for fourth in the league.

ATTACK THE GLASS: The Cougars have collected 507 rebounds, good for second in the OVC. SIUE's 157 rebounds on the offensive glass rank third in the conference. Stoller leads the Cougars and is tied for 10th in the OVC averaging 4.9 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 47 assists, which stacks up fourth in the league.

LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis has scored in double-figures in seven of her last eight games averaging 15.9 points per game during that span. Her 12.1 points per game this season ranks second on SIUE and 12th in the OVC. The junior owns a .388 three-point percentage (33-85), 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 9.9 points per game, good for 21st in the OVC. She is averaging 4.9 rebounds per game to lead SIUE. Over her last three games, the freshman is averaging 13.8 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 seven times, including a season-high 18 points against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 26. The guard is averaging 4.3 rebounds per contest and has collected five or more in eight games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.

SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan is averaging 12.3 points over her last four contests. Against Harris-Stowe, the guard scored a career-high 20 points. The junior has dished out 12 assists over the last four 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.