EDWARDSVILLE, Ill- The Cougars head to Murfreesboro, Tenn. for their third straight game on the road. The Cougars (1-5,0-0 OVC) take on Middle Tennessee (6-2, 0-0CUSA) December 4 at 11:00 a.m.
SERIES HISTORY: This game marks the second time in school history SIUE has faced off with the Blue Raiders. These teams last met in the 2023 season where the Blue Raiders defeated the Cougars 81-74. Middle Tennessee finished the 2023-24 season in RPI top 100, finishing 44th.
SCORING LEADER:
Brianna Wooldridge currently leads the team in points (62) averaging 10.3 a game. She put up 12 points against UMSL, a season single-game high of 15 against Murray State,10 points against Loyola and 12 points against Roosevelt University.
SILVEY LINING:
Macy Silvey currently leads the team in three points made (11) averaging 2.0 per game, recording a season single-game high at UCF (3).
Silvey ranks seventh in the OVC for three-point percentage (36.4) and seventh for three pointers per game (2.0).
SHEEHAN-DLES:
Molly Sheehan has had 15 assists so far this season averaging 2.5 a game. Sheehan has had 32 points over five games.
TEAM RANK: SIUE leads the OVC in Bench points per game (26.5), this is also good for 60th in the NCAA. They are third in the OVC in defensive rebounds (27.3) good for 90th in the NCAA.
REBOUND: Both Wooldridge and
Ava Stoller have had 32 total rebounds (5.3 a game).
Halle Smith averages 4.0 rebounds a game (24 total) and
Ava Gugliuzza averages 3.8 (23 total).
COLLEGE DEBUT:
Meegan Fahy marked her debut as a starter against UMSL.
Rory Conboy has also seen minutes against UMSL and Murray State.
Olivia Loveland and
Alexis Warren made their debut for the Cougars against Murray State.
Carmen Martinez Lopez made her debut against Roosevelt contributing two points.
TRANSFERS: Kendall George (UT Martin),
Jaiden Bryant (Missouri St.).
FRESHMAN ADDITIONS: SIUE added five freshman in the off season,
Meegan Fahy,
Olivia Loveland,
Carmen Martinez Lopez,
Alexis Warren, and
Rory Conboy.
AT THE HELM:
Samantha Quigley Smith is beginning her fourth season in charge of the Cougars and 12th season as a head coach. She owns a 28-69 record at SIUE and is 17-37 against conference opponents. All-time, Coach Smith is 212-164.
PRESEASON HONORS: The preseason Ohio Valley Conference Poll predicted an eighth-place finish for the Cougars tied with UT Martin. Southern Indiana was selected as regular season champions with 20-first place votes. Graduate guard
KK Rodriguez and junior
Macy Silvey earned Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Honors.
OPENING ACT: SIUE owns a record of 25-20 in season openers dating back to 1979. The Cougars are 2-5 in their last six opening acts.
LAST SEASON: Silvey tied for sixth in the OVC averaging 1.9 three-pointers per game. She moved into 13th all-time at SIUE with 98 three-pointers and led the charge scoring double-figures in 14 games. Rodriguez was named OVC player of the week three times. Before leaving the game at SIU Carbondale with an injury, she ranked third in the NCAA in total points, third in free throw attempts, third in free throws made, ninth in scoring average, and seventh in three-point percentage.
