Rodriguez and Gugliuzza Spark a Thrilling Duel in the Clash with SEMO

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – SIUE faces SEMO in their second conference match of the season. The Cougars battled fiercely, keeping the score tight throughout the second half, but ultimately lost with a final tally of 67-61.
 
SIUE drops to 2-9, 0-2 OVC while SEMO advances to 2-8, 1-1 OVC.
 
Standout performances included KK Rodriguez, who netted 20 points, marking her highest scoring outing since returning to play. She is also the second Cougar to reach a 20-point game this season. Rodriguez converted 35 percent (6-17) of her attempts from the field and hit 7-8 from the charity stripe.
 
Ava Gugliuzza was the only other Cougar to reach double digits, adding 14 points against the Redhawks, setting a new career-high in the process. She converted 5-13 of her shots, including 4-11 from behind the three-point line. Gugliuzza also logged two assists.
 
As a squad, SIUE completed 30 percent (19-62) of their attempts overall, hitting 23 percent (8-34) from three-point territory, and 83 percent (15-18) from the free throw line. The Cougars also amassed 29 points from their bench, marking their 11th consecutive game leading in bench scoring.
 
 Kendal George helped shift the momentum of the contest with a three-pointer with 9:37 remaining in the second quarter.
 
Ava Gugliuzza followed up with consecutive three-pointers, equalizing the score at 20-19 with 6:35 left in the second quarter.  
 
Just before halftime, SEMO’s Indiya Bowen pushed the Redhawks to a five-point advantage with a fast break layup, bringing the score to 25-30 at the break.
 
The Cougars gained a two-point edge after Gugliuzza sank a three-pointer, making it 40-38 with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter.
 
SEMO’s Brianna Hill equalized with a layup and subsequently scored another fast-break layup, granting the Redhawks the lead at 42-40, with 1:46 remaining in the third quarter.
 
SIUE gained momentum as KK Rodriguez executed a jumper in the paint and a layup from the fast break, trimming the Redhawks’ lead to three points.
 
Gugliuzza drilled a three-pointer to level the game at 51-51, with 6:01 left in the final quarter.
 
The Redhawks responded with two free throws and a layup before embarking on a two-minute scoring drought. Rodriguez converted two free throws to tie the game at 55, prompting SEMO to call a timeout with 2:42 remaining in the fourth.
 
After the timeout, SEMO’s Jariyah Williamson sunk two three-pointers, elevating the Redhawks ahead 61-55.
 
Macy Silvey capped off the game with a last-second three-pointer, bringing the final score to 61-67 before the buzzer sounded.
 
Next up, the Cougars will return to First Community Arena to host Western Illinois. The tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 pm.