Game #13
Lindenwood (6-6, 2-1 OVC)
at SIUE (2-10, 0-3 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Saturday, Jan. 4th, 2025
Location: Edwardsville, Ill.
Venue: First Community Arena
Tip-Off: 1:00 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 1-3
Last Meeting: L, 67-69
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood women's basketball continues their road trip this week as they head to SIUE on Saturday to take on the Cougars at 1:00 p.m. CT. This marks just the second Ohio Valley Conference road game of the season for the Lions after playing at EIU on Thursday.

Against the EIU Panthers, Lindenwood suffered their first OVC loss of the season after losing by a final score of 65-77. Eastern Illinois took advantage of a 21-8 second quarter to keep their lead heading into the final stretch of the game. Mya Skoff led the Lions after scoring 13 points in her third start of the season.

Lindenwood shot over 50.0% in three of the four quarters against Lindenwood, but was held to sub 30.0% in the second quarter which led to the EIU lead. The Lions were also forced into a season-high 23 turnovers which led to 31 Eastern Illinois points. Mykayla Cunningham had 11-points in the loss while shooting 5-11 from the floor.

Through 12 games this season, Lindenwood is averaging 64.8 points per game and have scored over 65 points seven times this season including in three out of their last four games. When Lindenwood scores over 65 points this season, the Lions are 4-3 including wins over Evansville and Kansas City. LU has held opponents under 65 points seven times this season including 54 to TTU, their third lowest of the year.

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) enters Saturday's matchup with a 2-10 overall record and have started off OVC play with three straight losses. The Cougars are led by fourth-year head coach Samanthan Quigley Smith who is coming off a 5-26 campaign in 2023-24. These two teams split their series last season with both teams winning their open game. Lindenwood was able to knock off SIUE in Hyland by a final score of 79-73 after Alyssa Nielsen scored 16-points on 8-12 shooting.

Player to Watch
Gracy Wernli has also started her Lindenwood career off to a good start scoring in double-figures in two out of her last four games. Wernli ranks third on the team in Field Goal Percentage (min. 60 attempts) with a 41.9% clip. Coming into Saturday's game, Wernli is averaging 10.0 points per game and has scored in double-figures six times.

She scored a career-high 16 points in a 67-62 win over Kansas City. Wernli has become one of the OVC's best free-throw shooters after going 30-31 this season (1st in the OVC). She has made her last 19 attempts coming into Saturday's game.

OVC Preseason Rankings
The Ohio Valley Conference released their 2024-25 women's basketball preseason predicted order of finish earlier this off-season. Lindenwood was selected to finish seventh after going 7-21 a season ago and 5-13 in conference. 

Lindenwood received 81 points in the preseason poll which put them in seventh heading into the season. This marks the highest ranking for a Lindenwood women's basketball team in their three seasons in the league.

The defending OVC Champions Southern Indiana Screaming Eagle were selected to win the OVC after receiving 20 of the 22 first-place votes for a total of 200 points. UT Martin finished in second (180 points, 2 first-place votes) followed by Eastern Illinois (145) and Tennessee Tech (140). Little Rock rounds out the top five followed by Western Illinois, Lindenwood, SIUE, Morehead State, Tennessee State and SEMO.

The Ohio Valley Conference also selected two 'Players To Watch" from each OVC school to start the upcoming season. Brueggemann and newcomer Coffey were tabbed as Lindenwood's players to watch for the 2024-25 season.

Scouting SIUE
The SIUE Cougars come into Saturday's game win-less in Ohio Valley Conference games this season with an 0-3 record. In conference play, the Cougars are averaging a league-low 56.3 points per game and are allowing opponents to score 75.0.

KK Rodriguez is SIUE's leading scorer this season averaging 10.5 points per game and scored a season-best 20 points against Southeast Missouri State earlier this season. Brianna Wooldridge is also averaging 8.5 points per game while shooting 42.9% from the field.

Head Coach: Amy Eagan
Eagan was named head coach of the Lindenwood women's basketball program on March 28, 2023.

In year one under Eagan, the Lions posted a 7-21 record. Lindenwood found itself in many close games, dropping eight contests by seven points or less. The black and gold led the OVC in turnover margin at +3.68. Ellie Brueggemann had an outstanding freshman campaign, averaging 13.8 points per game, which led to second team and all newcomer selections. Makayla Wallace set a new single season program record for steals with 72. She averaged 2.6 steals per game last season, tied for tops in the conference. It also ranked 24th nationally. 
 
Eagan arrives in St. Charles, Mo. after spending three seasons as the head coach of Drury University women's basketball.  Eagan completed her 14th season as a collegiate head coach, as she had stops at Truman State, Ashford, and St. Ambrose.
 
Eagan brings a career mark of 274-151 (.645) to Lindenwood, including four-straight seasons of 23 or more wins.  Eagan has led three schools to the NCAA Division II tournament for a total of five appearances, as well as one NAIA tournament appearance.  Eagan had claimed five conference titles in her 14 years, including three-straight.

Up Next
Lindenwood will return home on Thursday, Jan. 9th to take on Tennessee State at 5:00 p.m. CT inside Hyland Arena. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.