SIUE Cougars (4-20, 1-10 OVC)
at Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (15-6, 10-1 OVC)
Saturday, February 10, 2024 | 5:00 PM CT
Evansville, Indiana | Screaming Eagles Arena

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 688-657 since the program began in 1974.

LAST TIME OUT: SIUE women's basketball outscored Morehead State 31-28 in the second half, but the Screaming Eagles took the lead at 10-8 in the first quarter and never trailed to down SIUE, 69-66, on Thursday night at Johnson Arena. SIUE would cut its deficit to one in the final quarter of action with six minutes to go following a 5-0 run. Morehead State would go up four on three occasions before SIUE made closed its gap to one in the final six seconds of play following a free throw by Halle Smith. The Cougars were forced to foul on Morehead State's inbound, sending Katie Novik of MSU to the line with a second remaining. She went 2-2 at the stripe before SIUE put up a last second three with 0.4 remaining. The shot was no good, as Morehead State took its third consecutive victory against the Cougars, dating back to the 2022-23 season. SIUE concluded the game 35 percent (22-63) from the field, compared the Morehead State's 44 percent (24-55). Sofie Lowis (21), Ava Stoller (16), and Smith (10) all scored in double-figures. Smith commanded SIUE's rebounding efforts, tallying eight.

SERIES HISTORY: Saturday marks the 54th meeting between the Cougars and Screaming Eagles dating back to 1981. USI owns a 27-26 advantage in the series own a 16-11 record at home against SIUE. Southern Indiana edged the Cougars earlier this season, 87-64, on Jan. 11 at First Community Arena.

DO IT FOR FREE: SIUE ranks second in the Ohio Valley Conference and 33rd in the NCAA with a 77.0 free throw percentage. The Cougars also lead the OVC in free throws made (361) while stacking up second in attempts (469) at the stripe. Sheehan is 32-33 at the line (97.0) while Ava Stoller owns an 86.9 (53-61) free throw percentage.

SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE leads the OVC and ranks 39th in the NCAA with a 35.5 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league in three-pointers made per game at 7.8, good for 49th in the nation. Lowis (53, 4th), Macy Silvey (46, t-5th), and Molly Sheehan (44, 8th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three-pointers made. SIUE ranks second in the OVC in offensive scoring at 69.3 points per contest.

SHARING IS CARING: SIUE's 14.7 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 73 assists, averaging 3.2 per contest, good for eighth in the league.

LEAN ON LOWIS: Lowis leads the Cougars averaging 11.5 points per game, good for 15th in the OVC. She leads SIUE over her last five games averaging 14.4 points. The junior ranks fourth in the league in three-point percentage at 34.0. 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 has finished in double-figures in 10 of her last 13 games, averaging 12.3 points per game during that span. 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).

SILVEY LINING: Silvey ranks second on the Cougars averaging 9.8 points per contest. The sophomore has finished in double-figures 12 times, including a career-high 24 points at Lindenwood on Jan. 18. The guard also is averaging 4.9 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 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds over her last 10 contests, 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 34 blocks, good for third in the league and 62nd 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.