Cougars Edged by Washington in Final Nonconference Contest | Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Athletics Department
Cougars Edged by Washington in Final Nonconference Contest | Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Athletics Department
SIUE led by three points midway through the first quarter, but the Washington Huskies regained their lead shorty after and never looked back, downing the Cougars 71-40 in their final nonconference game of the season on Tuesday afternoon. Washington held SIUE to just 25 percent from the floor while shooting 47 percent and outrebounded the Cougars 50-30.
SIUE wraps up its nonconference slate 1-10 overall. Washington improves to 9-2.
The Cougars trailed the Huskies 20-13 after the first period. The Cougars showed bright spots on defense, forcing nine turnovers away from the Huskies while going 6-6 at the free throw line.
"Washington is a great team," Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith said. "They're longer and bigger which made it really tough on us. I thought we had an okay first half. We forced a lot of turnovers, but we couldn't contain the glass. Against a team like (Washington), you have to focus on blocking out."
Madison Webb reduced the Cougars' deficit to five following a step back jumper in the paint to start the second quarter, but the Huskies would run away following a 10-0 run to lead SIUE 36-22 at the break.
The Huskies held the Cougars to just two points in the third while shooting 41 percent to take a 26-point lead heading into the final quarter.
The Cougars responded to score 16 points in the final period, shooting 31 percent (5-16) while going 6-6 at the free throw line. SIUE shot 3-5 behind the arc in the fourth.
"We had a good little run there in the fourth," added Smith. "It was promising to see, but we have to focus our attention on rebounding. Our OVC league isn't going to be as big as Washington, but we have to focus on blocking out."
Senior forward Ajulu Thatha led the scoring efforts for SIUE finishing with 13 points. She shot 5-11 from the floor and 2-2 at the free throw line. Thatha also led the Cougars with eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
Molly Sheehan added eight points for the Cougars and was 2-5 from three-point territory. She was also 2-2 at the line.
Eight Cougars recorded minutes off the bench in the contest with five recording at least one point, assist, rebound, or block.
"It's really valuable to get players minutes heading into conference play," said Smith. "When your number is called, you have to be ready, physically and mentally."
SIUE will begin its OVC schedule on Dec. 29 at First Community Arena against Tennessee Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 pm and will be streamed on ESPN+.
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