EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Cougars knotted the game at seven with 4:39 remaining in the first quarter, but UT Marin finished the opening period on a 10-0 run and never looked back to down SIUE, 75-46, on Saturday afternoon inside First Community Arena.
"We ran into a well-coached UT Martin team who just got a road win the other night against Eastern Illinois," Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith said. "They came in here ready to play. From the jump, I don't think we did a great job of guarding like we have. Coupled with 19 turnovers, it's going to be a tough night."
SIUE falls to 4-19 overall and 1-9 against Ohio Valley Conference. UT Martin improves to 9-12 and 6-4.
Following the first quarter where SIUE shot just 2-12, SIUE outscored the Skyhawks, 16-1, on a shooting percentage of 36 percent (4-11) to cut its deficit to five at 28-23 entering the locker room.
The Cougars shot 26 percent (6-23) overall and 3-10 from three-point range compared to UT Martin's 33 percent (10-30).
UT Martin would close the third quarter on a 15-0 run, outscoring SIUE, 27-8, in the frame. The Cougars would show promise offensively in the final quarter, shooting 36 percent (5-14). However, the Skyhawks outscored SIUE by five to capture its third consecutive victory against the Cougars dating back to the 2022-23 season.
SIUE shot 27 percent (14-52) overall and 3-19 from three-point territory while going 15-17 at the stripe. UT Martin wrapped the contest 24-58 (41 percent). The Skyhawks also edged the Cougars 39-33 on the boards while forcing 19 turnovers away from SIUE.
"The beauty of this league is that when you have your backs against the wall like we do, you have to show up every night," added Smith. "We can't take possessions and quarters off, and it began with us not guarding right off the bat. It comes down to defense."
Macy Silvey led SIUE offensively, tallying 13 points on 6-11 shooting from the floor. She also led the Cougars' charge on the glass, grabbing eight rebounds. The sophomore also pitched in an assist and steal in 35 minutes of action.
Halle Smith, who entered the contest fourth in the OVC averaging 1.4 blocks per contest, added a pair along with 10 points, her seventh game scoring in double-figures this season. The forward also grabbed five rebounds.
Freshman guard Ava Gugliuzza contributed nine points, going 3-11 overall and 2-2 at the free throw line. Sofie Lowis added six rebounds, two of which came on the offensive end of the floor. The junior also led SIUE with five assists.
UT Martin was led by Norah Clark's 29 points and nine rebounds. Anaya Brown and Kenley McCarn added 12 points each.
SIUE hits the road next week for a pair of away contests, beginning with Morehead State on Thursday, Feb. 8. Tipoff has been adjusted to 5:00 p.m. CT, as the SIUE men will take on the Screaming Eagles at 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
"You have to find that energy and go into someone else's gym with the mentality 'we're going to take one; we're going to steal one on the road. You have to be a road warrior. Every game, start, quarter, and possession is really important."
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEWBB on X, @SIUEWBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
