Cougars Open Ohio Valley Conference Play at Eastern Illinois

SIUE Cougars (7-4, 0-0 OVC) at Eastern Illinois Panthers (2-8, 0-1 OVC)
December 18, 5:30 p.m.
Groniger Arena
Charleston, Illinois

SIUE is coming off a 97-54 win over Eureka Sunday at home.
At 7-4, SIUE has a winning record in nonconference play for the fourth straight year.
SIUE won at North Florida 72-63 Dec. 2 after trailing 61-54 with 5:49 to play and then finishing the game on an 18-2 run.
The win against Alabama State was the first time this year SIUE trailed at half and still got the win.
The Cougars shot 71 percent (20-28) from the field in the second half against Alabama State.
The Cougars lead the OVC in field goal percent defense at .386, which is 24th in the NCAA.
SIUE is allowing 66.1 points, which is second in the league and is ranked 35th in the NCAA.
SIUE is 6-1 when allowing 70 or fewer points.
SIUE's +12.2 scoring margin leads the OVC.
SIUE opened the regular season with a 119-50 win over East-West. The 119 points marked the fourth-highest total in program history and the most points scored since a 124-105 win over Southern Indiana in December 1994.
SIUE's 69-point margin of victory against East-West is tied for third highest in program history. It is the highest margin of victory since SIUE moved to Division I in 2008.