EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Coming off a 51-point win over Hanover College to open the season, EKU women's basketball hits the road for a showdown against former conference rival SIU Edwardsville on Thursday night at First Community Arena.
 
Thursday's non-conference matchup is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ESPN+. Fans are also encouraged to tune into 92.5 WEKY with Wes Chandler on the call 30 minutes before tipoff. Those wishing to be in attendance can find tickets starting at just $8 on the Cougars' website.
 
Last time out, EKU had five student-athletes in double-figure scoring for the first time since last season against Stetson on the road.
 
Leading the group was guard Alice Recanati who totaled 19 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Her 19 points were her most in over 28 games dating back to last November. Recanati moved to second in program history in career assists in the season opener. She needs 88 to set to program record held by Angie Cox in 1992.
 
Adding much-needed depth to the post position, forward Sierra McCullough recorded an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double in her EKU debut. Her performance was the 16th double-double of her five-year collegiate career.
 
Raphaela Toussaint (17), Antwainette Walker (14), and Althea Kara Angeles (13) were the other three Colonels in double figures.
 
Guard Brie Crittendon totaled a steady 9-point, 7-rebound, 5-steal performance in her first game back off a knee injury suffered last season. She was one of four returners off last year's team.
 
Game 2: EKU (1-0, 0-0 ASUN) at SUIE (0-1, 0-0 OVC)
- Thursday, November 9, 2023 – 6:00 p.m. ET
- First Community Arena – Edwardsville, Ill.
 
EKU Notes
- EKU head coach Greg Todd looks to move to 2-0 to open a season for the first time in his three years at the helm of the program. He's just four wins shy of 300 in his career.
- EKU is one win away from 700 program wins.
- The Colonels are 2-0 against Ohio Valley Conference schools since the team's departure from the league in 2021.
- After EKU's first game of the season, the Colonels are top 25 in the NCAA in turnover margin (3rd), offensive rebounding (4th), turnovers forced per game (6th), scoring margin (18th), assist/turnover ratio (21st), scoring offense (24th).
- EKU led its Atlantic Sun Conference opposition in points, assists, forced turnovers and was top three in rebounds, steals, and free throws after opening night.
- EKU enters the season picked to finish third in the ASUN preseason poll and with the conference preseason player of the year in Walker for the first time in seven seasons.
- Walker, who gained national spotlight last season, enters the year as ESPN's Frontrunner for ASUN Player of the Year and was named to the 2023-24 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Watchlist.
- Recanati was also tabbed to the ASUN Preseason All-Conference team for her second straight season.
 
All-Time vs. SIUE
- Thursday's matchup is the 17th meeting between EKU and SIUE, the Cougars edge the all-time series 7-9. 
- EKU has won the last three meetings in the series dating back to conference play in the 2020 season. The Colonels' last two wins were on the road.
 
Scouting the Cougars
- SIUE suffered a 100-59 loss to Oklahoma State on opening night and allowed the Cowgirls to shoot over 51 percent from the floor.
- Freshman Ava Gugliuzza led the Cougars with 13 points in her collegiate debut and shot 5-for-10 from the field. Fellow freshman guard Ava Stoller followed with 12 points and brought down five rebounds in her collegiate debut.

Follow Us
For more information on the EKU women's basketball program, visit EKUSports.com or follow @EKUWBB on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.