KK Rodriguez hit a three-pointer with seven seconds left in the game to give SIUE a one-point lead, but Dayton sealed the win with a layup three seconds later.
“It was a tough game,” said Head Coach Samantha Quigley-Smith.” We played hard tonight. I’m proud of our players.
The Cougars struggled to contain Dayton’s rebounding prowess as the Flyers outrebounded SIUE 51-34.That margin led to Dayton taking advantage of second chance opportunities to score 25 points and outscore SIUE 26-9 on the offensive glass.
Despite the rebounding disadvantage, Seattle U shot 43 percent (25-of-58) from the field and 15-of-19 from the free throw line. Rodriguez, the nation’s eighth-leading scorer, tied his career high with a game-high 33 points for the Cougars. She has scored 30 or more points in three of the last four games.
“KK Rodriguez is really special, wow,” exclaimed Smith.” Our other players contributed a lot, but she was the special player that kept us in this game.
Rodriguez showed off her all-around game, shooting 11-of-21 from the field, 7-of-9 from the free throw line and 4-of-5 from three-point range. She also contributed four assists and four steals.
Off the bench, Olivia Clayton provided a much-needed spark for the Cougars as she scored a career-high 11 points. She shot the ball efficiently, going 4-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line, while grabbing five rebounds.
“She inspired us off the bench,” said Smith.” She came in and grabbed rebounds against a team that rebounds well.”
Macy Silvey and Ava Stoller scored eight and seven points, respectively, and Stoller also dished out four of SIUE’s 14 assists. Defensively, SIUE also had a season-high six caps. Halle Smith scored three goals and Clayton contributed two caps.
The Cougars will take some time off after Thanksgiving before returning home to host Middle Tennessee on Sunday, 26 November. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
“I can’t say enough about our effort and resilience,” Smith emphasised.” Both teams fought until the final whistle. As a coach, you want to be in a game like this. We have to take it to the next level.”
