The Cougars OVC skid continued Thursday night at the Vadalabene Center with an 80-67 loss to Austin Peay.
It wasn't a particularly bad loss, but definitely raises a few concerns heading into tonight's game against Murray State. It was, however, Austin Peay's first road victory of the season.
It looked really good early. After a 4-0 start for Austin Peay, the Cougars rattled off an 8-0 run.
SIUE's offense was clicking. They shot more than 50 percent on the night and held a 18-16 rebounding edge in the first half while trailing 37-36. The Cougars were outscored by 12 in the second half, much because of their inability to get the rebounds they had in the first half, especially on the offensive end where Austin Peay was getting easy looks and second chances. The Cougars were out-rebounded 36-27, so 20-11 in the second half.
The offensive numbers looked outstanding. 53 percent shooting in the first half and 47 in the second half. As a team, you were 4-9 (44 percent) from behind the 3-point line and you had 14 assists. What the shooting percentage doesn't take into account is your number of possessions, and Austin Peay, while shooting particularly well themselves (54 percent) had 13 more of them and shot absolutely lights out in the second half (61 percent.) That's a pretty big number.
The offensive rebounds and Cougar turnovers (18) with 11 of them caused by Austin Peay steals pretty much sealed the deal.
Those steals helped result in 14 fast-break points to just two for the Cougars.
SIUE made a bit of a push late in the second half, but it was just too much Peay.
Mark Yelovich scored his 1,000th career point on the team's first basket. Afterwards, Zeke Schneider tweeted to congratulate him and joked that he would soon be joining the 10 point club. Zeke, you already have 31 my friend....seems more like 9 though.Four Gov's scored in double-figures and Edwardsville native Will Triggs was first off the bench with eight points. He certainly had his own contingent of fans.
Kris Davis was 2-5 from 3-point range, and now ranks second in 3 point field goal percentage in the nation.
Charles Joy had one of his better offensive performances of the year, scoring six points, but still, the shot needs some work.
With 0.7 seconds left on the clock, Corey Wickware was whistled for a foul following the in-bounds pass. The Cougars were not looking for the foul, and it was pretty soft. Either way, not a good call with Austin Peay in the double bonus. Just inflated the score a little bit.
SIUE had just 10 bench points and none in the second half. Depth seems to be a bit of an issue, and the Cougars without Michael Messer need to find some kind of offensive output from their bench. Unfortunately, there really isn't anyone I can point to as an answer.
Another post coming shortly on the big one tonight.
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