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 689-662 since the program began in 1974.
LAST TIME OUT: SIUE women's basketball led by three entering halftime at 33-30, but Eastern Illinois began the third quarter on an 8-0 run and never trailed to down the Cougars, 80-66, on Tuesday night at Groniger Arena. SIUE shot 52 percent (13-25) in the first two quarters compared to Eastern Illinois' 41 percent (12-29). The Cougars went 5-10 from three-point land in the first two frames, three of which were scored by Sofie Lowis. EIU used a pair of 8-0 runs in the third quarter before SIUE cut its deficit to six with just under six minutes to go in the final quarter. The Panthers extended their lead to 12 points with 4:29 left in the game following a 7-1 scoring streak, but SIUE managed to reduce the deficit to single digits three more times. The Cougars concluded the contest 43 percent (25-58) overall and 10-23 from three-point range while going 6-8 at the free throw line. EIU shot 47 percent (31-65) and outrebounded the Cougars, 38-31. The Panthers also scored 31 points off 20 SIUE turnovers. SIUE was led offensively by 17 points from Lowis while Ava Gugliuzza (12) and Brianna Wooldridge (10) also finished the contest in double-figures.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday marks the 14th meeting between the Cougars and Leathernecks dating back to 1980. WIU owns an 8-5 advantage in the all-time series and are 4-2 at home against SIUE. Western Illinois downed the Cougars earlier this season, 81-75, on Dec. 31 in Edwardsville.
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 15th in the NCAA with a 77.9 free throw percentage. The Cougars stack up second in the OVC in free throws made (431) and attempts (553) at the stripe. Sheehan is 45-47 at the line (95.7) while Ava Stoller owns an 88.7 (63-71) free throw percentage.
SHOOTERS SHOOT: SIUE leads the OVC and ranks 35th in the NCAA with a 35.7 three-point percentage. The Cougars also lead the league in three-pointers made per game at 8.0, good for 40th in the nation. Lowis (68, 4th), Macy Silvey (57, 7th), and Molly Sheehan (55, 9th) rank in the top 10 of the league in three-pointers made. SIUE also ranks third in the OVC in offensive scoring at 68.5 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 11.7 points per game, good for 15th in the OVC. On the road, she is averaging 12.5 points per outing. Over her last three games, she leads SIUE at 16.0 points per contest. 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 12 games, including five or more on six occasions. Her 142 career three-pointers rank seventh in program history. Last season, Lowis stacked up second on SIUE in total points (343) and assists (68).
SHEEHAN-DLES: Sheehan is averaging 10.6 points per contest against OVC opponents. This season, she owns a three-point percentage of 46.0. 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).
SILVEY LINING: Silvey ranks second on the Cougars averaging 9.5 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 149 rebounds, averaging 5.0 per contest, and has collected five or more in 18 games. Silvey also leads SIUE in minutes played at 922 (30:44/G). She concluded last season with 173 points, 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 20 steals.
HALLE BUCKETS: Halle Smith averages 10.0 points and 5.1 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 37 blocks, averaging 1.2 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.
