LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – SIUE women's basketball led Little Rock for the first six minutes of the contest, but the Trojans used a 9-0 run between the end of the first and beginning of the second and led the rest of the way to down the Cougars, 79-59, on Thursday night at Jack Stephens Center. Little Rock scored 25 points off 23 SIUE turnovers to take a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series.
SIUE falls to 3-13 overall and 0-3 against Ohio Valley Conference opponents. Little Rock improves to 3-11 and 2-1 in league play.
"Tonight, was not our best defensive effort," Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith said. "Little Rock shot the ball well and guarded us different than any other opponent this year. A full week of practice will help us dive into what we need to do better defensively."
The Cougars shot a respectable 44.7 percent (21-47) while being held to 26.3 percent (5-19) from three-point territory. SIUE also went 12-17 at the free throw line and scored 30 of its 59 points in the paint.
Little Rock shot 44.6 percent (25-56) from the floor while going 6-14 from deep and 23-33 at the charity stripe.
SIUE outrebounded the Trojans 36-26, commanded by Halle Smith's eight. Half of her rebounding total came on the offensive end of the floor and led to points for SIUE. Ava Stoller and Brianna Wooldridge contributed five boards apiece while Olivia Clayton picked up four.
Three Cougars scored in double-figures, led by Wooldridge and Molly Sheehan's 15 points. Wooldridge went 5-7 overall and 5-7 at the charity stripe while tallying SIUE's lone block. Sheehan scored her point total exclusively from the three ball, going 5-10 from deep. The guard handed out a pair of assists while grabbing one of the Cougars' two steals.
"Bri gave us a good lift off the bench and showed some energy and toughness," added Smith. "Halle also had another solid night offensively."
Smith contributed 13 points, her second consecutive game in double-figures. The junior went 4-6 overall and 5-6 at the free throw line while dishing out a pair of assists. Stoller scored eight points while Clayton added four.
Little Rock had three players score in double-digits, led by Jayla Brook's 25. Leilani Wimbish-Gay and Faith Lee contributed 18 points each.
SIUE returns to action inside First Community Arena on Thursday, Jan. 11 against Southern Indiana. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
"Collectively, we are starting to understand how important the defensive side of the ball is," said Smith. "Each game is a learning opportunity where we can reflect how to get better."
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
