Little Rock Trojans (7-12, 6-2 OVC)
at SIUE Cougars (3-18, 0-8 OVC)
Thursday, February 1, 2024 | 5:00 PM
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 687-655 since the program began in 1974.

PROMOTIONS: Thursday marks the second 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.

LAST TIME OUT: 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. 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. The Cougars and Golden Eagles traded points back and forth 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. 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. Halle Smith added eight points and six blocks while Molly Sheehan and Sofie Lowis pitched in seven points each.

SERIES HISTORY: Thursday marks the fourth meeting between the Cougars and Trojans dating back to last season. Little Rock has taken all three matchups between the two schools. On Jan. 4 at Jack Stephens Center, Little Rock downed SIUE, 59-79.

DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE ranks second in the Ohio Valley Conference and 44th in the NCAA with a 76.2 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throws made (311) while stacking up second in attempts (408) at the stripe. Sheehan is 22-23 at the line (95.7) while Ava Stoller owns an 86.0 (49-57) free throw percentage.

SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE leads the OVC and ranks 29th in the NCAA with a 36.4 three-point percentage. The Cougars also stack up second in the league averaging 21.9 three-point attempts per game. Silvey, Sheehan, and Lowis are tied for fourth in the league averaging 2.0 three-pointers per game. The Cougars' 8.0 three-pointers made per game leads the league and ranks 46th in the nation. SIUE ranks second in the OVC in offensive scoring at 70.7 points per contest.

SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 15.0 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 3.2 per contest, good for seventh in the league.

LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis leads the Cougars averaging 11.1 points per game, good for 17th in the OVC. The junior ranks seventh in the league in three-point percentage at 32.1. 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).

SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan leads SIUE over her last 10 games averaging 14.0 points. She has finished in double-figures in nine of her last 10 appearances. Against Western Illinois, the guard scored a career-high 21 points. She also leads the OVC with a 45.7 three-point percentage, good for 10th 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).

HALLE BUCKETS: Smith is averaging 10.9 points and 6.0 rebounds over her last seven 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.

SILVEY LINING: Silvey ranks second on the Cougars averaging 10.0 points per contest. The sophomore has finished in double-figures 11 times, including a career-high 24 points at Lindenwood on Jan. 18. The guard also is averaging 4.8 rebounds per contest and has collected five or more in 13 games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.

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 Jan. 13 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.