Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (8-10, 3-4 OVC)
at SIUE Cougars (3-17, 0-7 OVC)
Saturday, January 27, 2024 | 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 687-654 since the program began in 1974.
LAST TIME OUT: Sofie Lowis (23), Macy Silvey (17), Molly Sheehan (12), and Halle Smith (12) all scored in double-figures for SIUE, but Southeast Missouri State used a 14-0 run midway through the opening quarter and led the rest of the way as the Redhawks downed the Cougars, 86-72, on Saturday afternoon at the Show Me Center. SIUE cut its deficit to five twice early during the third, but SEMO would close the quarter on a 9-1 run over the last three minutes of action. SIUE wrapped the game 42 percent (25-59) from the floor compared to Southeast Missouri State's 49 percent (30-61). The Cougars were able to find success from three-point range, going 13-28 (46 percent) led by Lowis and Silvey, who converted five apiece from deep. From the free throw line, SIUE was nearly perfect going 9-10. Lowis's 23 points marked the seventh 20-point game of her collegiate career. Defensively, the junior also led the Cougars with three steals. Macy Silvey and Ava Stoller commanded SIUE on the boards with seven apiece.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday marks the 21st meeting between the Cougars and Golden Eagles dating back to 2001. Tennessee Tech owns a 12-8 advantage in the all-time series and has taken seven consecutive matches against SIUE. At First Community Arena, the Cougars are 5-5 against TTU.
DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks 43rd in the NCAA with a 76.3 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throws made (300) while stacking up second in attempts (393) at the stripe. Stoller leads SIUE with an 86.0 percentage (49-57) at the stripe, good for third in the league.
SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE leads the OVC and ranks 29th in the NCAA with a 36.2 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league in three-point attempts per game at 21.9. Sheehan (41, 4th), Lowis (40, t-5th), and Macy Silvey (38, 7th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three-pointers made. The Cougars' 7.9 three-pointers made per game also leads the league and ranks 46th in the nation. SIUE ranks second in the OVC in offensive scoring at 71.3 points per contest.
NOT IN OUR HOUSE: SIUE's 62 total blocks rank fourth in the OVC. Halle Smith leads the Cougars and ranks fourth in the league averaging 1.2 blocks per game. Olivia Clayton's 1.1 blocks per game are tied for fifth in the league. Against Harris-Stowe, the Cougars recorded a season-best nine blocks.
SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 15.1 assists per game rank second in the OVC. Against Harris-Stowe, the Cougars dished out 28 assists, tying the single-game program record. Stoller leads SIUE with 67 assists, averaging 3.4 per contest, good for sixth in the league.
SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan is averaging 14.8 points over her last nine contests to lead SIUE. She has finished in double-figures in each of her last nine appearances. Against Western Illinois, the guard scored a career- high 21 points. She also leads the OVC with a 46.1 three-point percentage, good for eighth in the NCAA. Last season, the guard ranked third on SIUE in points (215), second in assists (68), and first in free throw percentage (.905).
LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis leads the Cougars averaging 11.4 points per game, good for 16th in the OVC. The junior owns a 32.5 three-point percentage (40-123). 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 seven games. Last season, she ranked second on SIUE in total points (343) and assists (68).
SILVEY LINING: Silvey ranks second on the Cougars averaging 9.7 points per contest. The sophomore has finished in double-figures nine times, including a career-high 24 points at Lindenwood on Jan. 18. The guard also is averaging 4.6 rebounds per contest and has collected five or more in 12 games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.
HALLE BUCKETS: Smith is averaging 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds over her last six contests, including a double-double vs. Western Illinois (Dec. 31) where she set career high marks in points (21) and rebounds (13). The junior forward joined SIUE from Southeast Missouri where she spent the first two seasons of her collegiate career.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Stoller was named the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week on Jan. 16 following her performance against Southern Indiana and Morehead State. The guard began her week with 12 points vs. Southern Indiana while leading SIUE with seven rebounds and four assists. The St. Petersburg, Florida native followed up with her first collegiate double-double, scoring 11 points while collecting a season-high 12 rebounds on Saturday vs. Morehead State.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
