Sangamon Sun

Webb Collects Double-Double, Cougars fall to Western Illinois on Sunday

Madison Webb recorded her first collegiate double-double and Sofie Lowis added a season-best 20 points as the Cougars fell 83-77 to Western Illinois on Sunday afternoon at Western Hall. SIUE shot a season-best 46 percent (30-65) as a team, but The Fighting Leathernecks scored 27 points from the free throw line and had five players in double figures.

Following the loss, SIUE drops to 0-8 overall while Western Illinois improves to 4-6.

"I'm proud of our group today," Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith said. "We brought a different kind of competitiveness and energy that we've been looking for. We just need to continue to keep that consistent."

The Cougars led by as many as 14 and carried a seven-point advantage after the first period at 26-19. SIUE shot 60 percent (9-15) from the floor and 5-7 from behind the arc in the first.

WIU tied the game four minutes into the second quarter at 28 before gaining its first lead of the contest at 30-28. Western Illinois carried its lead for the remainder of the half, connecting on 60 percent (9-15) of its scoring chances. The Cougars trailed 44-39 at the halfway point of the contest. 

SIUE knotted the game at 54 with four minutes remaining in the third and took a one-point lead two minutes later following a three from Lowis. Western Illinois finished the third on a 5-0 run, leading by four at 62-58.

In the final quarter, Western Illinois led for the entire period with SIUE closing its gap to one point on two occasions. However, WIU would finish the contest on a 10-5 run for the victory.

 "We had some really bright spots when it came to some women stepping up," added Smith. "We urged our post players to be dominant under the rim. Madison Webb did a great job of that, demanding the ball and rebounding well for us."

Webb finished the game with a career-high 18 points while leading the Cougars with 10 rebounds. She shot 8 of 12. Lowis also added a career-high mark, with seven rebounds while leading SIUE with 20 points. She was 3-8 from three-point territory.

"Sofie played a great all-around game tonight on both sides of the ball," said Smith. "She's aggressive and a real threat from the perimeter. She stepped up when we needed her today with a few of our scorers out."

The Cougars also dished out a season-best 15 assists, led by Olivia Clayton, Molly Sheehan, Anna Blank, and KK Rodriguez with three each. Blank also finished the contest with eight points, a new career high for the freshman. 

SIUE is off next week for final exams and will return to the court Saturday, Dec. 16 at Northern Illinois. Tip-off is slated for noon.

Original source can be found here