SIUE WBB falls to EIU in OT

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – After erasing a double-digit deficit, the SIUE women’s basketball team were defeated by Eastern Illinois University (EIU), by a score of 67-61 at the Vadalabene Center on Tuesday night.

SIUE has now lost their last three games, dropping them to 4-18 overall and 2-11 in conference play. Eastern improves to 14-8 overall and 11-2 in the OVC, currently in first place ahead of Tennessee Tech.

KK Rodriguez led the Cougars with 17 points (7-15 FG, 1-3 3PT), and also added 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Ava Stoller also had 10 points and 4 rebounds, and Brianna Wooldridge contributed 11 points and 5 rebounds.

Senior Macy McGlone was the leading scorer for the Panthers, notching 19 points and 15 rebounds. Alex Rouse also had 18.

The Panthers would extend their lead to as much as 13 points with 6:54 remaining in the second after Macy McGlone’s layup, but SIUE would go on an 8-0 to finish out the half, where Macy Silvey would knock down two consecutive three-pointers and close out the second with a score of 29-24.

SIUE would get it going in the third, bringing the EIU lead down to just one point on multiple occasions and ending the quarter down 40-39. KK Rodrieguez would manage to score 7 out of the team’s 15 points, outscoring EIU 15-11 in the quarter.

Ava Stoller would come in clutch for the Cougars late in the game, knocking down a three-pointer with 4:38 left to keep the EIU lead at one point. Stoller would also provide some key free throws inside two minutes. With 7 seconds left in the game, KK Rodriguez would score a layup to tie the game at 55. EIU would have a chance to win the game on a left-side jumper from Macy McGlone but would ultimately miss to give the Cougars a chance in OT.

Although SIUE would put up a valiant effort in overtime, they would never gain the lead and would be outscored 8-2 by the Panthers, ending the game with a score of 67-61.

The Cougars will face off against Tennessee Tech (16-5, 10-2 OVC), this time on the road in Cookeville, TN. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM on Thursday, February 6. SIUE previously defeated Tennessee Tech on January 11, winning by a score of 67-59. Eastern Illinois will also encounter TTU for their next match, albeit at home on Saturday, February 8 at 3:00 PM.

To view Luke Welsh's photos from the event, head to his gallery. You can also view the article on Collinsville Daily News.