EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Macy Silvey collected a career-high nine rebounds while leading SIUE's scoring with 16 points, but Tennessee Tech downed the Cougars, 67-58, on Saturday afternoon at First Community Arena. Despite trailing by 11 with two and a half minutes remaining in the first half, SIUE reduced its deficit to four entering halftime.
SIUE falls to 3-18 overall and 0-8 against Ohio Valley Conference opponents. Tennessee Tech improves to 9-10 and 4-4.
"We come into a game with the mindset of an 18-3 team," Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith said. "We need to have that positive mindset going into every game. Every game, this team feels like they can win. Some of it is just a possession here and there that needs to be executed. While our group wishes we came out on the other side of the score, we played Tennessee Tech tough. We'll continue to build off that."
Trailing 34-23 with 2:28 to go in the first, SIUE used a 7-0 run to close its gap to four entering halftime. The Cougars shot 44 percent (11-25) overall and 4-10 from deep. TTU went 13-46 and 3-15 entering the break.
With 6:57 remaining in the third, SIUE tied the game at 39 before the Golden Eagles increased its lead to six on multiple occasions before entering the final quarter of play.
"You can't control anything that happened yesterday," added Smith. "You can learn from it and take something forward to the future. But the only thing you can control is tomorrow. The season moves too quick to reflect with quick turnarounds. All you can do is put your best foot forward and come ready to play, and I am proud of that mindset our players carry."
The Cougars and Golden Eagles traded points back and orth in the closing quarter until the Cougars trailed by two with 2:56 remaining. However, Tennessee Tech closed the game on a 9-0 run to put the game in TTU's favor.
SIUE shot 37 percent (19-51) from the floor and 41 percent (9-22) from three-point territory while going 11-15 from the free throw line. The Golden Eagles shot 35 percent (24-68) while going 13-22 at the stripe.
Silvey's career-best nine rebounds marked the junior's seventh occasion leading SIUE on the glass this season. Her 16 points also marked the guard's 11th game in double-figures this season. She shot 6-13 from the floor and 4-7 from deep.
"Macy had a great week of practice and came ready to play," said Smith. "I'm so proud of her. She was so energetic and ready to play. Her game spoke for it."
Halle Smith added eight points while Molly Sheehan and Sofie Lowis pitched in seven apiece. Smith also tallied a career-high six blocks. Sheehan and Lowis collected five boards and four assists each.
SIUE returns home next week for a pair of contests, beginning with Little Rock on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
"We're excited for another opportunity to play at home," said Smith. "Playing here is engaging for our group and makes them want to do something great at our home court. We had a great home crowd and we're excited to get back at it against Little Rock."
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
