Morehead State Eagles (8-7, 3-1 OVC)
at SIUE Cougars (3-14, 0-4 OVC)
Saturday, Jan. 13, 2023 | 2:00 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 687-651 since the program began in 1974.
LAST TIME OUT: The Screaming Eagles used a quick start on Thursday night at First Community Arena, outscoring the Cougars 19-12 in the first quarter and held their lead the rest of the way for a final score of 87-64. SIUE took two leads in the contest during the opening period, but USI regained its lead midway through the first and led the rest of the way and took a 46-27 lead at halftime. The Screaming Eagles outscored the Cougars 25-15 in the third period before SIUE took a 22-16 edge in the final period of play. SIUE finished the game 19-64 from the field, 8-23 from three-point land, and 18-28 at the free throw line. USI shot 47 percent (31-66) overall and 19-25 at the stripe. Southern Indiana owned a 54-33 advantage over SIUE on the glass and 13-9 on the offensive boards. SIUE forced 13 turnovers from the Screaming Eagles while only turning the ball over 10 times. Four Cougars reached double figures, as Macy Silvey (13), Ava Stoller (12), Molly Sheehan (12), and Olivia Clayton (11) rounded out the SIUE offense.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday marks the 22nd meeting between the Cougars and Eagles dating back to 2008. Morehead State leads the all-time series with a 12-9 advantage, but the two schools split last year's series, 1-1. SIUE has taken three of the last four games against MSU and owns a 4-6 record inside First Community Arena.
DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE ranks second in the Ohio Valley Conference and 48th in the NCAA with a 76.0 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throws made (259) and rank second in attempts at the stripe (341). Stoller owns an 84.8 percentage (39-46) at the stripe to lead the Cougars.
SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE ranks second in the OVC behind Western Illinois and 46th in the NCAA with a 35.6 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league with 132 three-pointers made. Sheehan (34, 4th), Sofie Lowis (33, 5th), and Silvey (30, t-8th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three-pointers made. The Cougars' 7.8 three-pointers made per game leads the OVC and 57th in the country. SIUE also ranks second in the OVC in offensive scoring at 71.6 points per contest.
NOT IN OUR HOUSE: SIUE's 54 total blocks stacks up fourth in the OVC. Halle Smith and Clayton lead the Cougars and are tied for fourth in the league averaging 1.2 blocks per game. Against Harris-Stowe, the Cougars recorded a season-best nine blocks.
ATTACK THE GLASS: The Cougars have collected 622 rebounds, good for third in the OVC. SIUE's 191 rebounds on the offensive glass stack up second in the conference. Stoller leads the Cougars and is tied for 11th in the OVC averaging 5.0 rebounds per game. She has grabbed five or more on nine occasions.
SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 14.8 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 56 assists, averaging 3.3 per contest, good for seventh in the league.
SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan is averaging 16.4 points over her last five contests to lead SIUE. Against Western Illinois, the guard scored a career- high 21 points. She also leads the OVC with a 46.6 three-point percentage, good for 13th in the NCAA. The junior has dished out 16 assists over the last five games. She has made four or more three-pointers in four of her last six outings. Last season, Sheehan ranked third on SIUE in points (215), second in assists (68), and first in free throw percentage (.905).
HALLE BUCKETS: Smith is averaging 13.3 points and 8.3 rebounds over her last three contests, including a double-double vs. Western Illinois (Dec. 31) where she set career high marks in points (21) and rebounds (13). She also has commanded SIUE on the glass in two of her last three appearances. The junior forward joined SIUE from Southeast Missouri where she spent the first two seasons of her collegiate career.
LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis has scored in double-figures in eight of her last 11 games. Her 11.2 points per game leads SIUE and is tied for 16th in the OVC. The junior owns a 32.4 three-point percentage (33-102). Against NIU, she set a new career high with six three-pointers made. The guard has converted three or more from three-point land in six games. Last season, she ranked second on SIUE in total points (343) and assists (68).
AVA SCORER: Stoller ranks second on the Cougars averaging 9.8 points per game, tied for 24th in the OVC. She also is averaging 5.0 rebounds per game to lead SIUE, tied for 11th in the league. The 5-6 freshman has collected five or more boards in 10 contests while dishing five or more assists on nine occasions. Stoller joined the Cougars 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 third on the Cougars averaging 8.7 points per contest. The sophomore has finished in double-figures eight times, including a season-high 18 points against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 26. The guard also is averaging 4.3 rebounds per contest and has collected five or more in 10 games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.
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