Lindenwood Lions (6-16, 4-8 OVC)
at SIUE Cougars (4-21, 1-11 OVC)
Thursday, February 15, 2024 | 5:00 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 688-658 since the program began in 1974.

PROMOTIONS: Fans are encouraged to wear black on Thursday for the department's Black Out Cancer Game, presented by BJC Health Care. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Black Out Cancer t-shirt, while students can enjoy a flag giveaway (while supplies last).

LAST TIME OUT: Southern Indiana put together an 8-0 run after the opening tipoff and held the lead the rest of the way to down SIUE women's basketball, 75-58, on Saturday night at Screaming Eagles Arena. SIUE trailed by six at the conclusion of the first period at 18-12 before Southern Indiana outscored the Cougars 23-9 in the second quarter. SIUE would outscore the Screaming Eagles 37-34 in the second half, including 27-16 in the final quarter of action. The Cougars shot 5-7 from three-point range and 9-15 from the floor in the final quarter of action. USI shot 48 percent (28-59) overall, 8-19 from deep, and 11-15 at the free throw line. SIUE went 18-60 (30 percent) from the floor and 7-31 from long range. SIUE was led offensively by freshman Ava Stoller's 14 points. Halle Smith (12) and Macy Silvey (11) also added double-figure outings. Brianna Wooldridge commanded SIUE on the glass, grabbing nine rebounds in 13 minutes of play.

SERIES HISTORY: Thursday marks the fourth meeting between the Cougars and Lions dating back to the 2022-23 season. SIUE owns a 2-1 advantage over Lindenwood in the series. In the last contest between the two, Lindenwood edged SIUE, 79-73, at Hyland Arena on Jan. 18. Silvey averages 14.0 points per game in three matchups against Lindenwood.

ROAD WARRIORS: SIUE is currently in the midst of playing six of its final eight scheduled games on the road, with four consecutive away games to conclude the season.

DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE leads the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks 22nd in the NCAA with a 77.0 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throws made (376) while stacking up second in attempts (484) at the stripe. Sheehan is 34-35 at the line (97.1) while Ava Stoller owns an 88.1 (59-67) free throw percentage.

SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE ranks second in the OVC and 57th in the NCAA with a 34.8 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league in three-pointers made per game at 7.8, good for 50th in the nation. Lowis (53, 4th), Macy Silvey (49, t-5th), and Molly Sheehan (45, t-8th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three-pointers made. SIUE ranks third in the OVC in offensive scoring at 68.8 points per contest.

SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 14.4 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 74 assists, averaging 3.1 per contest, tied for ninth in the league.

LEAN ON LOWIS: Sofie Lowis leads the Cougars averaging 11.2 points per game, good for 16th in the OVC. The junior ranks fourth in the league in three-point percentage at 32.7. 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 nine games, including five or more on five occasions. Last season, she ranked second on SIUE in total points (343) and assists (68).

SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan is averaging 11.3 points per contest against OVC opponents. This season, she owns a three-point percentage of 44.9. Against Western Illinois, the guard scored a career-high 21 points. Last season, she ranked third on SIUE in points (215), second in assists (68), and first in free throw percentage (.905).

AVA SCORER: Stoller is averaging 15.0 points per game over her last two outings. The freshman also leads SIUE in rebounding this season at 5.3 per game. She ranks third on SIUE averaging 9.5 points per game. Stoller joined SIUE from St. Petersburg HS where she led the Green Devils' scoring efforts with 25.5 points and 4.4 rebounds as a senior.

SILVEY LINING: Silvey ranks second on the Cougars averaging 9.9 points per contest. The sophomore has finished in double-figures 13 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 14 games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.

HALLE BUCKETS: Smith is averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds against OVC opponents, including a double-double vs. Western Illinois (Dec. 31) where she set career high marks in points (21) and rebounds (13). She also leads SIUE with 35 blocks, good for third in the league and 67th in the NCAA. The junior forward joined SIUE from Southeast Missouri where she spent the first two seasons of her collegiate career.

Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.