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MILWAUKEE -- The UWM women's basketball team (12-5, 6-0 Horizon) hosts Butler (1-17, 0-7 Horizon) Wednesday 7 p.m. at the Klotsche Center. UWM is looking to pick up its nine-straight win and its 21st consecutive at home against league opponents.

Milwaukee is still on the hottest winning streak in the league right now after picking up home victories over Cleveland State and Detroit last week. UWM beat Cleveland State, 80-67, on Thursday night before going off against Detroit, 102-71, Saturday afternoon. The Panthers haven't been beaten at the Klotsche Center by a league opponent through 20 consecutive contests dating back to 1999.

UWM is currently tied for first in the league with Green Bay, both having identical records overall and in the league. The Panthers will meet the Phoenix for a first-place showdown later this week on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers have already beaten Butler this season with a 79-47 win on Jan. 12. on the road. Milwaukee has won the past four meetings with the Bulldogs, but has not been beaten at home by them since 1997. Butler holds the 9-7 all-time series against the Panthers.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS

Butler lost its 15th-straight game this season on the road against UIC, 83-76, Saturday. The seven-point loss came as just the third time this season the Bulldogs have lost by single digits. Four players scored in double digits for the Bulldogs, who shot 35.9 percent on the game. Nancy Bowden led the team with 17 points and eight assists, while Tiffany Smith added 15 and Angel Mason added 11. Maria Marchesano came off the bench to pitch in 15 points. The Bulldogs were on the positive side of the assist-to-turnover ratio, making 18 assists and 12 turnovers. They have averaged just 11 assists while committing 22.7 turnovers per game.

The Bulldogs have been outscored by an average of 22 points per contest this season, and have fared slightly better in the league by averaging 18.1 points fewer than their opponents' totals. Among the league, Butler falls near or at the bottom in most team categories including scoring offense and defense, field goal pct. and 3-point field goal pct. defense, rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots. The Bulldogs lead the league in offensive rebounds with 13.78 per game. They are second in 3-point field goals made, connecting on 6.28 per game.

Sarah Bolten leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.4 ppg and 7.7 rpg. Nancy Bowden is second in scoring with 9.8 ppg.

INSIDE UWM'S WIN OVER DETROIT

Five players scored in double figures to lead UWM to its giant 102-71 victory over Detroit. The Panthers recorded the second-highest point total in school history since going Division I.

Maria Viall paced UWM with 25 points, while Holly Tamm scored 16 and Jessica Wilhite added 12. Off the bench, Kimberly Becker chipped in 12 points and Angela Wenzel added 11.

Milwaukee took over from the start and built a significant margin with an 18-0 run early in the first half. The Panthers carried a 42-23 edge into halftime, and came out even hotter in the second half to record the 31-point victory. The Panthers finished with 51.7 percent shooting, their highest of the season. UWM also put together its best presence at the line, connecting on a season-high 30-of-34 free throws.

Tamm's hot shooting early on helped Milwaukee break open the game. She scored 10 points in the first six minutes of the game to give UWM the 14-4 lead, and led the team with 12 at the half. She finished shooting 6-of-8 from the field, including 2-of-2 from the arc and 2-of-2 at the line. Viall had nine points in the first half before exploding with 16 in the second half, finishing with 8-of-11 from the field and 9-of-11 from the line.

GIANT VICTORY

The 102 points UWM scored against Detroit came as the second highest total in school history. It also came as the first time since 1996 that the Panthers scored over 100 points. On Feb. 17, 1996, UWM beat Cleveland State in overtime, 101-99. The school record for most points scored is 104, which UWM recorded in a 104-57 win on Jan. 22, 1991 against Northeastern Illinois.

HALF A RECORD

The win over Detroit did allow UWM to reset the school record for most points in a half. The Panthers poured in 59 points in the second half, beating the previous record of 55 points scored in a half against St. Francis in the 1990-91 season.

BEST OF WHAT'S AROUND

Milwaukee recorded a season-high 23 assists against Detroit. The Panthers committed just 13 turnovers, the fewest since giving up 10 in December's game against Saint Mary's. UWM's large offensive outputting can be attributed to its season-high shooting percentage from the field in that game, connecting on 31-of-60 for 51.7 percent. The Panthers also performed tops this season at the line, making 30-of-34 free throws.

MARGIN OF VICTORY

The Panthers' 31-point victory over Detroit--the largest this season--came as the fifth time this year UWM has outscored its opponent by more than 20 points by the final buzzer.

STEALING HOME

With the recent victory over Detroit, UWM extended its home league winning streak to 20 games. The Panthers haven't fallen to a league team at the Klotsche Center since UW-Green Bay upended Milwaukee, 73-54, on Feb. 20, 1999.

LEAGUE STREAK

Though UWM hasn't been beaten by a league foe at home through 20 consecutive games played at the Klotsche Center, the Panthers also haven't been beaten by a league foe anywhere through 15 games. UWM has won all six games so far this season, but finished last year having won the last nine meetings against league opponents. The Panthers were on a six game winning streak entering the MCC Tournament last yearbefore sweeping all three opponents and claiming the championship title.

BENCH POINTS

Angela Wenzel has come in to every game off the bench for UWM this season. Her biggest spark for the Panthers came in a 17-point performance against Cleveland State to help lift UWM to victory. Wenzel poured in 13 points in just nine minutes played in the first half, already surpassing her previous career high at UWM of 10 points by the half. Her new career high of 17 points came on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from the line. Against Detroit, she added 11 points to record double digits for the second straight game--the first time she has done that in her career at UWM.

HELPING HAND

Senior guard Holly Tamm currently has 72 assists on the season, averaging 4.24 per game for fourth among league leaders. She has recorded more than four assists in six games, and has recorded less than three assists just three times. If she keeps up dishing out assists at her current pace, she will certainly eclipse the 100-assist mark and rank among the school's top ten in season assist leaders. The last time a Panther averaged at least four assists per game was during the 1996-97 season.

VIALL NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK AGAIN

Maria Viall was named the Horizon League Player of the Week on Jan. 14 for the second consecutive week. She was recognized by the league last week after pouring in a career-high 33 points to lead UWM past Butler in their first match-up this season. In the previous week, she helped UWM to a pair of league wins at home with two double- doubles, averaging 18.5 points and 11 rebounds in both contests. She is off to a torrid pace in league games, averaging 20.8 points and 7.8 rebounds through six games.

ROAD WARRIORS

UWM has won six games on the road so far this season, tying a Division I school record for most road wins in a season. UWM accumulated six road wins in 2000-01, 1999-00 and 1997-98. UWM has six away games left on its schedule, with a potential of one more if they play host Loyola at the Horizon League Tournament.

UWM'S RPI

Milwaukee is currently ranked 78th in the latest release of the RPI according to collegerpi.com. The latest ranking is the highest for UWM in the three-year history of the women's RPI. In 2000-01 Milwaukee was at 116, while the Panthers finished the 1999-00 season at 157. The Panthers are projected to finish the season 78th in the RPI, with a 20-7 record.

PANTHER DEFENSE

UWM's tenacious defense forced 30 turnovers from Wright State, the highest amount an opponent has coughed up this season. UWM forced 26 against Cleveland State and then 21 against Detroit in their last game to tally 10 times this season an opponent as made more than 20 turnovers. UWM ranks second in the Horizon League in turnover margin, with a margin of +3.76.

FRESHMEN LEADERS

Point guard Malika Willoughby led the team in scoring against Wright State, registering 13 points. She shot 5-of-13 from the field, including 2-of-5 from the arc. That came as the second time this season a freshman has led the Panthers in scoring. Forward Christine Gutierrez led UWM with a team-high 14 points at Bowling Green on Dec. 8.

CHUDY'S DUTY

Freshman guard Elizabeth Chudy has averaged 9.7 minutes off the bench in nine games played. Until the game against Wright State, she had connected on at least one three pointer in each game she has played. The game against Wright State stopped Chudy's duty of contributing from beyond the arc in her minutes played. She now averages 3.4 ppg, while tied for second on the team in three-point field goal percentage (.421) on 8-of-19 treys.

MUST-SEE TV

The premiere of the Sandy Botham Show, featuring UWM's own 2001 MCC Coach of the Year, was shown Thurs., Jan. 10, on Channel 41. Botham can be seen at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday night throughout the rest of the season. CBS 58 sports reporter Trenni Kusnierek hosts the show.

CAREER DAYS FOR VIALL

Maria Viall scored 33 points against Butler to eclipse her previous career high of 30 points gained against Saint Mary's on Dec. 28th. Against the Bulldogs, Viall made 13-of-19 from the field and 7-of-11 from the line. In the game against Saint Mary's, Viall connected on 14-of-18 field goals and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to record her first double-double of the season. The sophomore center grabbed a pair of double-doubles in league matches against Loyola (22p, 10r) and UIC (17p, 12r) to open the league season. She now has seven career double-doubles, tops among all active Panthers.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE FACTS FACTS

With seven career double-doubles, Maria Viall has moved into a tie with Trina Rathke for fifth place on the school's career double-double list. The school record is 22 career double-doubles by Erica Young. Viall is also just the second player in UWM's Div. I history to post a double-double in back-to-back games twice in a career, having done so once this season and once last season. Young is the only other player to do so, having accomplished the feat four times. Young also holds the record with five consecutive double-doubles.

CONSISTENT IN APPEARANCE

When Stefanie Kaufmann took the floor at home against Detroit, it was the 102 consecutive game she has appeared in. In her fourth year, Kaufmann has played in all 102 team games, while starting 30 times. The record for most games in a career, without missing one, since UWM moved to Div. I is 108 by Trina Rathke (1995-98) and Apryl Rodman (1994-98). Both Rathke and Rodman played all 108 team games in their careers. If Kaufmann stays healthy, she will eclipse the mark Feb. 7 at Wright State. Junior Jessica Wilhite (75), sophomore Maria Viall (47) and freshman Malika Willoughby (17) are the only other players on pace for the same feat.

MARIA MARIA

It may appear as though center Maria Viall has been hot as of late, but really she's been doing it all season. Viall had recorded 12 consecutive games with double-digit scoring, but that streak was cut short when she was held to six points against Wright State. That game came as just the second time this season Viall scored in single digits, with the first coming in the season opener. Her streak of 12 games marked a career best, and tops among all active players. The record, however, is 21 games set by Pam Bartnik during the 1993-94 season.

STARTING SPOT

Freshman guard Malika Willoughby made her first start with the regular rotation in the game against Saint Mary's and has started each game since. She replaced senior guard Allison Klaas, who now gives the Panthers experience off the bench. With Willoughby in the starting five, the Panthers have rattled off eight-straight wins, and hold a 9-0 record overall when she starts.

CAREER LEADERBOARD

With 12 points against Detroit, junior guard Jessica Wilhite moved into 14th place on the school's career scoring list. Wilhite moved past former Panther Trina Rathke, who accumulated 975 points in her career. She currently totals 979 career points and is just 21 points shy of becoming the 12th Panther to join the school's 1,000 point club. Wilhite will easily surpass a few other players on her way up the ranks: Carol Busche is 13th on the list with 985 points and Maureen Pitrof is 12th with 996 career points.

UP THE CHARTS

Also making news with career leaderboards is sophomore center Maria Viall. Viall has 27 blocks this season, giving her 59 career blocks to move into sole possession of eighth place in the records book. She needs a total of 60 to tie Umenia White for seventh place, and 68 to tie Jaci Clark for sixth place. With 27 blocks through 17 games, Viall is looking to make a run at UWM's Division I school record of 47 blocks in a single season. The current mark is held by Erica Young during the 1993-94 season. The all-time career leader in blocks is Carrie Nonof with 136 blocks. Viall registered 32 blocks last season and ranks third in individual season records for blocks.

POLE POSITION

Following the Wisconsin game on Dec. 11, sophomore center Maria Viall became the team's leading scorer. Viall becomes the first Panther player, other than Jessica Wilhite to have the team lead in scoring since 2000. Corrin Von Wald ended the 1999-00 season with 11.9 ppg, tops on the team. Viall now averages 17.2 points per game, while Wilhite is second with 13.1 ppg. Both rank among the top ten in the league in scoring, with Viall currently leading all Horizon League players.

WILHITE FOR THREE

The game against Wisconsin was the only game this season Jessica Wilhite did not connect from behind the arc. She scored four points but was 0-of-3 from three-point range. Prior to that game, she had made at least one three-pointer in each of UWM's first eight games this season. Wilhite opened the 2000-01 season with multiple threes in the first 15 games, and kept on pace with at least one made in 20 straight games. As a freshman during the 1999-2000 season, Wilhite made it seven games before failing to hit a three. In her career, Wilhite has played in just eight games without making a three point shot.

SINGLE DIGITS

2001-02 Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year Jessica Wilhite has been a marked target this season. Opponents have added great defensive pressure to tie her up and force the ball elsewhere. The Panthers' go-to player exploded in the beginning of the season, averaging 20 points through the first four games. But after a three-game stretch of scoring in single digits, including a season-low three points against Valparaiso, Wilhite now averages 13.1 ppg. She exploded against Loyola on Jan. 3, going off for a school-record 24 first-half points en route to a 28-point outing. She averaged just 8.5 points in UWM's two home games last week.

FEWEST TO FOUR

Milwaukee's 71-50 win at Chicago State on Dec. 31 marked the fourth road win of the season for the Panthers. With a 4-2 mark on the road, the 2001-02 squad set a school Div. I record with the fewest games to reach four road wins. The previous record was seven, when the 1997-98 team started the road season 4-3. Last season, the team didn't record its fourth road win until their 12 opportunity.

100 AND COUNTING

With UWM's win over Northern Illinois in the season opener on Nov. 16, coach Sandy Botham collected her 100th career win as a head coach. Botham started her career with Beloit College and collected 22 wins in her lone season there. Since coming to Milwaukee prior to the 1996-97 season, Botham has collected 85 wins, giving her 107 for her career.

CARING FOR THE BALL

Against No. 3 Vandy, the Panthers kept care of the ball by recording 16 assists and turning over the ball a season-low nine times. Through 17 games, Holly Tamm leads the squad with 72 assists and boasts a team-best assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.40. As a team, UWM averages 15.4 assists and 17.1 turnovers. The Panthers have forced an average of 20.8 turnovers per contest, for a turnover margin of +3.8.

SEASON'S GREETINGS

This season's 3-1 start was UWM's best start since the 1988-89 season. That year, the Panthers started 5-0 and finished 19-10.

FREE-THROW SHOOTING

UWM started the season with cold free-throw shooting in the first few games, but finally heated up at the line in their game against Marquette when they made 21-of-25 attempts. The Panthers fell back against Saint Mary's when they converted just 55 percent on 11-of-20 attempts. Through 17 games, the Panthers are shooting 73.8 percent from the free throw line, while opponents are converting 70.1 percent of their attempts. Allison Klaas has made 8-of-9 attempts for a 88.9 percent mark to lead the team, while Jessica Wilhite is second on the team with 83.3 percent accuracy on 40-of-48 free throws. Maria Viall has made it to the line the most, connecting on 67-of-91 shots (73.6 percent).

BENCH MARK

Against Valparaiso, UWM coach Sandy Botham used an eight-player rotation--the first time four other players didn't see time off the bench since January of 2000. Jan. 4, 2000 was the last time the Panthers didn't use at least 10 players in a game. The only other time Botham has ever used only eight players was Dec. 21, 1996, her eighth game at UWM. In that game, seven players saw 20-plus minutes, while one player only played one minute. The Panthers lost at Dayton, 79-70, in that game.

MIND FOR CHARITY

UWM made a living at the foul line last year. The Panthers connected on 493 free throws during the season, almost as many as their opponents attempted (526). UWM tied the team record for free throws made in a season. Milwaukee attempted at least 20 free throws in its final 15 games of the season, and only once shot fewer than 10 free throws during the entire year.

OVERTIME REVISITED

The game against Marquette saw the Panthers play their first overtime game since the 1999-00 season. Last year, UWM did not see any overtime action. It was the first time the Panthers have gone through the season without an overtime contest since the 1997-98 campaign. During the 1999-00 season, UWM played in five overtime games.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Jessica Wilhite and Maria Viall were named to the Gran Tree Classic All-Tournament team on Nov. 25-26 at Montana State.