Head Coach Sandy Botham
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Panthers Kick Off League Play Against Green Bay
Milwaukee hosts Phoenix Sunday in league-opener for both teams
Game #12 • Jan. 4 • 7 p.m.
Green Bay @ Milwaukee
Klotsche Center (5,000) • Milwaukee, Wis.
Internet: Live Stats, Listen
Radio: AM 920 The Wolf (Scott Warras)
TV: Sports 32 (Bob Brainerd, Maria Viall)
• Complete Release in PDF Format 
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Jan. 2, 2009) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team puts non-league play behind it and focuses on another run at a Horizon League title Sunday when it hosts in-state rival Green Bay at the Klotsche Center in the league opener for both teams. The Panthers and Phoenix tip off at 7 p.m.
How's It Going...
Milwaukee played its third-straight one-point game on New Year's Eve, coming out on top in a 63-62 decision at Marquette. Sophomore Ashley Imperiale converted game-tying and winning free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining to secure the win. The Panthers finished their non-league slate at 5-6.
Up Next
UWM gets immersed in league play next week with a two-game swing through northeast Ohio. The Panthers play at Youngstown State Thursday (Jan. 8) and Cleveland State Saturday.
Witnessing History...
Senior Traci Edwards pulled down seven rebounds in the Panthers' loss to Evansville Dec. 22, pushing her career total to 974. That figure established her as the program's top rebounder since it moved to Division I in 1990-91. Maria Viall (2000-04) had held the top spot with 971. Jaci Clark (1979-83) is the team's only player to reach 1,000 rebounds, finishing her career with 1,226. With 988 career boards, Edwards is now just 12 rebounds from joining Clark in the 1,000-rebound club. She is also on the verge of 2,000 points (1,965), which would make her the first 2,000-point/1,000-rebound player in school, league or state collegiate history. Oklahoma's Courtney Paris and Louisville's Angel McCoughtery are the only active Division I players to have reached the milestone, while 114 players had done so entering 2008-09.
And Then There Was One
With a season-high 30 points Dec. 2 at Wisconsin, senior Traci Edwards became UWM's all-time leading scorer. She surpassed Maria Viall's (2000-04) school record of 1,867. She has since pushed her total 1,965 points and surpassed Green Bay's Chari Nordgaard (1,964) for second in league history. Edwards' work is not done, as she now sets her sights on 2,000 points and then the league's career scoring record of 2,018 points held by Butler's Julie VonDielingen. Nationally, the 6-foot-2 center is third among active leading scorers, trailing only Oklahoma's Courtney Paris and Louisville's Angel McCoughtery.
Black And Gold State
Traci Edwards' ascension up the school and league's career scoring charts is impressive. But, if you look at her standing among Wisconsin basketball players, the figures continue to impress. When she passed Chari Nordgaard for second in league history, Edwards also surpassed the former Phoenix player for fourth in state history among women's players. She is also sixth among NCAA Division I players from the state, men or women. Finally, while she could become the state's first female to 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, research has turned up only UW-Parkside's Abdul Jeelani (2,262/1,237) as a men's player in the state to reach the milestone.
About Green Bay
The Phoenix capped its non-league schedule with an 8-3 record, but has lost three of its last four contests. Like Milwaukee, Green Bay fell to Wisconsin (59-47) and beat Marquette (68-56), both during that stretch. The team features balanced scoring with three starters averaging in double-figures and a fourth checking in at 9.9 points per game. Lavesa Glover leads the team with 11.2 ppg, while preseason all-league first team selection Rachel Porath is second at 10.8. GB is shooting 44.8 percent from the field as a team, while limiting opponents to just 54.9 points per game.
Series History
Milwaukee and Green Bay will be meeting for the 63rd time ever Sunday, the most games against one opponent for either program. The Phoenix holds the 45-17 advantage, but the series has been close as of late. The Panthers swept the regular season series in 2005-06 and have a one-point loss and overtime setback in the five meetings since.
Getting Off On The Right Foot
The Panthers are 8-7 in Division I league openers, including a 7-7 mark in the MCC/Horizon League and a 7-5 record under Sandy Botham. UWM has opened league play against Green Bay twice, losing both, while its last two league openers have been decided by one point each time.
Last Time Out: Milwaukee 63, Marquette 62
Sophomore Ashley Imperiale sank two free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining to send UWM past Marquette, 63-62, Wednesday at the Al McGuire Center. The Panthers trailed by as many as 13 in the first half, but fought back to take the lead late and end an 11-game losing streak against the Golden Eagles. Traci Edwards led Milwaukee with 21 points, 14 rebounds and five assists while playing all 40 minutes. Sophomore Lindsay Laur added 15 points with four 3's before fouling out.
Picking Up The Pace
Lindsay Laur's play of late has moved her from key sixth player to starter. In fact, over her last three games, she is averaging 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds, while shooting 56.3 percent from beyond the arc (9-for-16). She has hit at least four 3's twice in her last three games and has reached double-figures all three times. The stretch has pushed her season scoring average to 8.3 points per game, while she is second in the league by hitting 45 percent of her three-point tries (18-for-40).
Heart-Stoppers
Milwaukee has played three-straight one-point games, four-straight games separated by two points or less and five of its last six games have been decided by one or two point. The streak of tight games in unprecedented in the program's history. In fact, in the team's Division I history, dating back to the 1990-91 season, the only time UWM played back-to-back one or two-point games was Feb. 23 and March 1 of last season. There were three instances of consecutive such games in the 1980's, but the only time Milwaukee ever played three-straight one-point games before this season was Jan. 12-16, 1976.
It's Not How You Start...
Four times in six games in the month of December, the Panthers fought back from tough deficits to bring an exciting conclusion to the games. Dec. 2 at Wisconsin, the Panthers overcame a 16-point deficit with just over 11 minutes remaining to take the lead in a game that eventually went into two overtimes. Then, Dec. 10, Milwaukee fought back from a 49-29 deficit to tie Illinois at 55-55 in the final minutes of regulation. In its last outing, UWM scored the final eight points of regulation to tie its game with Evansville and force overtime, before dropping a one-point decision. Dec. 20, sophomore Maurika Hickman hit a lay-up at the buzzer to send the Panthers past Central Michigan, 78-77. It was the team's first game-winning shot in the final five seconds since Dec. 28, 2006, when Megan Rogers hit a three with 4.2 remaining in the second half to give UWM a 73-72 win over Loyola. Lastly, Dec. 31, sophomore Ashley Imperiale made two free throws to win the game at Marquette. Milwaukee had trailed by 13 points in the first half of that contest.
The Panthers Know Drama
Milwaukee has provided some of the most dramatic television this season, as each of its first three TV games this season have been far from boring. The team's first two TV games, which pitted UWM against Wisconsin and Illinois, have featured the aforementioned theatrics and a combined three game-tying or winning baskets in the final eight seconds of regulation or overtime. Then, against Marquette, free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining proved to be the difference.
Righting The Ship
After the first three games of the 2008-09 season, the Panthers were shooting 32 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from three-point range. Since then, however, Milwaukee has been downright on fire. UWM is shooting 45.9 percent from the field over its last eight games, including an impressive 42.5 percent from three-point range. The recent streak has done wonders for the season statistics, as the Panthers are now shooting 41.8 percent from the field and a league-best 37.8 percent from three-point range. Milwaukee has shot better than 40 percent in each of its last eight games and over 46 percent five times.
Trois-Tres-Drie-Drei-Three
The Panthers knocked down a season-best 13 three-pointers against the Chippewas. Three different players set career-highs with five (Lindsay Laur), four (Jodie McClain) and three (Jineen Williams) three-pointers made. The 13 three's were tied for second-most in school history behind the 14 they had against Youngstown State Feb. 2, 2002. Furthermore, UWM's 13 treys came on 25 attempts for a 52 percent clip, its best three point percentage with 10 made three's since Dec. 31, 2007. Last New Year's Eve, the team knocked down 12-of-23 (52.2 percent) vs. La Salle. This New Year's Eve was similar, as the Panthers were 9-of-18 (50 percent) from three-point range at Marquette.
Home Sweet Home
After playing six of its first seven games away from home Milwaukee will be playing its fourth home game in its last five contests. The Klotsche Center has been a difficult place for visiting teams to succeed. In 12-plus years under Sandy Botham, the Panthers are 108-51 at home. The Panthers went 9-7 at home last season and are just two seasons removed from a school-record 13-3 home campaign in 2005-06. In league play, those numbers are even better as Milwaukee boasts a 74-19 home record. That number has gotten a boost lately, as the Panthers have won 59 of their last 71 home league games over the last nine seasons. UWM has also posted three perfect home league years, going 8-0 in 2003-04 and 7-0 in both 1999-2000 and 2000-01.
League Success
The Panthers are looking to continue a strong tradition of success in the Horizon League in 2008-09. Milwaukee has finished second-or-better in the league standings in eight of the last nine seasons and are 104-37 in league games since 1999-2000. UWM has won league titles in 2001 and 2006.
Player Of The Week
Traci Edwards was named the Horizon League Player of the Week Dec. 15 for the eighth time in her career. The senior center scored 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in leading the Panthers to a 20-point comeback against Illinois Dec. 10. With her eighth award, Edwards has been so honored more time than any other player in school history (Maria Viall, 7). She is also one back of the league record for player of the week awards (Green Bay's Nicole Soulis, 9).
That's Odd...
Traci Edwards finished the Panthers' Dec. 7 game at Washington State with just four points and one rebound in 16 minutes. Saddled with foul trouble, she posted just the seventh game of her career in which she did not reach 10 points. The outing snapped a streak of 16-straight double-digit scoring games, tied for the third-longest streak in school history. Edwards holds the longest streak, a 41-game monster that spanned the end of her freshman season, entire sophomore campaign and much of last season. Also, her one rebound tied a career-low set last season against Green Bay and her 16 minutes marked just the fifth time she has played fewer than 20 minutes in a game.
Double The Fun
Traci Edwards and Jineen Williams each tallied double-doubles at Wisconsin Dec. 2, combining for 46 points and 21 rebounds in the game. For Edwards, it was double-double No. 46. Meanwhile, it was the first of Williams' career. She is one of four players on the roster other than Edwards with double-doubles in their careers. The last time Milwaukee had two players accomplish the feat in the same game was March 9, 2007, when Edwards tallied 23 points and 12 rebound and senior Jody Crumble had the program's first triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Lindsay Laur has since joined the club with 10 points and 10 boards against Evansville Dec. 22, while Edwards picked up No. 49 against Marquette Dec. 31.
You Get To Records With Big Numbers
Traci Edwards picked up her first double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds against SIU Edwardsville. Though it took four games, you knew it wouldn't take too long for her to get her first of the season. She has added four more since and now has 49 in her career, 13 more than any other player in school history. She also had three-straight 20-plus scoring efforts and has pushed her school-record total to 48 career 20-point games. She is also at 96 double-digit scoring games in 103 career games played, two back of Maria Viall's school record (98). Lastly, her latest double-double against Marquette gave her 52 double-digit rebounding games, another school record.
Botham Gets No. 200
Sandy Botham picked up her 200th coaching win at Milwaukee Nov. 29 at Northern Illinois. In 12-plus seasons at the helm of the Panther program, she has boasted a 202-155 record. The milestone is her latest, as she surpassed the 200-win mark for her career last season, while also becoming the winningest coach in league games in Horizon League history. Overall, Botham is 224-159 as a head coach.
Out Of The Lineup
The Panthers are down some numbers this season, dressing 13 of their 16 players for games. Most noticeably, senior Jody Crumble is out indefinitely with a knee injury she suffered in the season-opener. Junior Danae Russell also continues to recover from an injury and will likely not dress this season. Meanwhile, sophomore Ashley Imperiale was inactive for the first eight games of the season due to NCAA transfer rules. She dressed for her first collegiate game Dec. 20 and tallied two points, a rebound and an assist in 13 minutes against Central Michigan.
All-Tournament Honors
Traci Edwards finished the season-opening Wolfpack Invitational averaging 19.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game and was named to the all-tournament team. She was previously named the tournament MVP at the only other in-season tournament of her career, the SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic in 2006.
More Than Just Numbers
Last season, Traci Edwards became the first player in league history to lead the league in scoring and rebounding in the same season twice, as well as the second to lead the league in rebounding three times and scoring in back-to-back seasons. In 2008-09, she will look to join some similar groups as she is looking to become the first league player to lead the league in scoring three times or rebounding four times in a career. Edwards will also be shooting for a fourth-straight all-league first team honor, which only one player has ever done, as well as a repeat league player of the year award, something only four players have done. She has also been named to the league's all-tournament team three times, while only one player has ever done it four times.
Panthers Third In Preseason Poll
Milwaukee was picked third in the Horizon League preseason poll of league coaches, sports information directors and media. The Panthers received two first-place votes and tallied 240 points, just one point back of second-place Wright State (241 points), which garnered one first-place vote. Two-time defending regular season champion Green Bay topped the list with 24 first-place votes and 284 total points.
Another Preseason Pick
Senior Traci Edwards was selected as the Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year for the second-straight season. As a junior, she led the league with 20.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game and became the fourth UWM league player of the year. She is looking to become just the second player in league history to be named to the all-league first team four times and fifth two-time league player of the year .
Back In Black & Gold
The Panthers will have the luxury of a wealth of experience this season, as 12 letterwinners return. Heading the list is senior Traci Edwards, the 2008 Horizon League Player of the Year. Three more seniors are back, including Turquoise McCain, a league all-defensive team selection last season, Katie Fournier, Jody Crumble and Markita Barnes. The Panthers' five-player senior class is the largest senior class in the team's Division I history. The squad also boasts two juniors, including returning starter Jodie McClain, and five sophomores, four of which saw extended minutes throughout the season and three that started games.
But What That Means...
Milwaukee's 12 returning players accounted for 81 percent of its scoring last season, a figure that includes eight of the team's top nine scorers. On the glass, even a larger percentage will be back in 2008-09, as 83.4 percent of UWM's rebounds are also back. If that weren't enough, the experience level of the team has also risen. Returning players have combined for 486 games played in a Panther uniform, including 240 starts. That is a rather sizable increase over last season's already impressive numbers (362 games/177 starts).
Welcome To Milwaukee
With 12 letterwinners returning from last season, there is little room for new faces. But, head coach Sandy Botham and her staff have added three players for the upcoming season including freshman post players Danielle Jorgenson and Amanda Viehauser. Ashley Imperiale also joined the team as a transfer, most recently from UW-LaCrosse. Jorgenson is 6-foot-3 and hails from La Crosse, Wis., where she was an all-state first-team selection and two-time area player of the year. Viehauser hails from Minneapolis, Minn., and was all-state honorable mention twice. Meanwhile, Imperiale is a 5-foot-11 guard out of nearby Greendale, Wis. She transferred to UWM after the fall semester last season from UW-La Crosse. Imperiale became eligible after the fall semester and has sophomore eligibility.
Panthers On The Air
For the second-straight season, every Panther game will be carried live on AM920 WOKY. The station is also the home of the Sandy Botham Radio Show, while both the show and every game will be available live at uwmpanthers.com. Scott Warras returns for his third season as the voice of UWM women's basketball and the host of the Sandy Botham Radio show.
Be Sure To Watch
Seven Panther games will be televised this season, starting with their Dec. 2 game at Wisconsin. That game was on the Big Ten Network, while six more games will be carried live on Time Warner Cable "Sports 32" and then be replayed on the station afterwards. Home games with Illinois (Dec. 10), Green Bay (Jan. 4), Valparaiso (Jan. 29), Cleveland State (Feb. 5) and Loyola (Feb. 19) will be televised as part of UWM's package. The team's Dec. 31 game at Marquette will also be on Sports 32 as an MU broadcast. Also, every league game will be available to watch online through the Horizon League Network (www.horizonleaguenetwork.tv). Sports 32 is the home of the Sandy Botham TV show, which can be first seen every Thursday at 5 p.m.
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