SIUE Women’s Basketball Falls to USI

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The SIUE women’s basketball team lost to the University of Southern Indiana (USI) by a score of 69-65 Thursday night at the Vadalabene Center, after maintaining a large lead throughout the first half of the game.

With this loss, the Cougars’ record is now 3-15 overall, and 1-8 in the OVC. USI improves to 15-5 overall, and 7-2 in conference play. The Screaming Eagles have now won three consecutive games.

The leading scorer for the Cougars was shared by both KK Rodriguez and Ava Gugliuzza. Gugliuzza knocked down 4 three-pointers on eight attempts, and added 3 rebounds. Rodriguez (6-13 FG, 1-4 3PT) filled the stat sheet by providing 4 rebounds and 6 assists. Junior Macy Silvey also added 11 points (4-11 FG, 3-8 3PT). For USI, multiple players also finished in double figures. Sophia Loden went 8-9 on field goal attempts, the only miss being a lone three-pointer. Loden also added five rebounds.

Although SIUE only was out-rebounded by 1 in the stat sheet, USI had many more trips to the charity stripe, shooting 22 free throws compared to SIUE’s 5. As a team, the Cougars shot 25-59 (42.4%) from the field and 12-31 (38.7%) from three-point range.

USI will face Eastern Illinois, who is undefeated in conference play (12-6, 9-0 OVC) on Saturday, Jan 24.

The Cougars, will aim to pick up their second conference win at the Vadalabene Center on January 24, facing off against Morehead State (7-12, 2-7 OVC). Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm. Morehead State, much like SIUE, is struggling as of late, only achieving one win in their past seven games.

To view my entire article, head to Collinsville Daily News. To view the other photos I took at this game, head to my gallery.