SIUE Cougars (5-23, 2-13 OVC)
at Tennessee State Tigers (8-17, 5-10 OVC)
Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 1:00 PM CT
Nashville, Tennessee | Gentry Center
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 689-660 since the program began in 1974.
LAST TIME OUT: SIUE women's basketball trailed by as many as 23 in the fourth quarter and cut its deficit to single digits, but Tennessee Tech held on to down the Cougars, 86-76, on Thursday night at Hooper Eblen Center. Entering halftime, Tennessee Tech extended its lead to 14 points at 43-29, going 16-32 from the field (50 percent). The Cougars were held to 38 percent (9-24) in the opening half of play while going 2-10 from three-point range. Despite trailing by 23 with 8:04 to play in the contest, SIUE's offense heated up in the final quarter of action. The Cougars outscored the Golden Eagles 27-21 while going 53 percent (9-17) from the field. The Cougars capitalized on open three-pointers, shooting 7-10 from deep in the final period of play. SIUE concluded the contest 46 percent (26-57) from the field and 50 percent (12-24) from long range, its seventh game this season with double digit three-pointers. The Cougars' 12 three-pointers marked their most since they tallied 13 at Southeast Missouri on Jan. 20. Four Cougars finished in double-figures: Halle Smith (20), Sofie Lowis (20), Molly Sheehan (10), and Ava Gugliuzza (10).
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday marks the 22nd meeting between the Cougars and Tigers dating back to 2011. SIUE owns a 17-4 advantage in the all-time series and are 7-3 at Tennessee State. The two schools last met in the opening round of the 2023 OVC Tournament, as SIUE downed the Tigers, 71-64.
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 16th in the NCAA with a 78.0 free throw percentage. The Cougars stack up second in the OVC in free throws made (415) and attempts (532) at the stripe. Sheehan is 39-41 at the line (95.1) while Ava Stoller owns an 88.7 (63-71) free throw percentage.
SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE leads the OVC and ranks 39th in the NCAA with a 35.2 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league in three-pointers made per game at 7.9, good for 42nd in the nation. Lowis (63, 4th), Macy Silvey (54, t-5th), and Sheehan (50, 8th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three-pointers made. SIUE also ranks third in the OVC in offensive scoring at 68.7 points per contest.
SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 14.6 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 80 assists, averaging 3.1 per contest, good for 11th in the league.
LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis leads the Cougars averaging 11.5 points per game, good for 15th in the OVC. On the road, she is averaging 12.1 points per outing. Over her last five games, she leads SIUE at 13.2 points per contest. The junior ranks fifth in the league in three-point percentage at 33.9. 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 11 games, including five or more on six occasions. Last season, she ranked second on SIUE in total points (343) and assists (68).
SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan is averaging 10.7 points per contest against OVC opponents. This season, she owns a three-point percentage of 41.0. 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 13.0 points per game over her last four outings. The freshman also leads SIUE in rebounding this season at 5.0 per game. She ranks third on SIUE averaging 9.6 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 9.7 points per contest. The sophomore has finished in double-figures 14 times, including a career-high 24 points at Lindenwood on Jan. 18. The guard leads SIUE with 134 rebounds and has collected five or more in 16 games. She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.
HALLE BUCKETS: Smith is averaging 10.2 points and 5.6 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 36 blocks, averaging 1.3 per game, good for third in the league. 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.
