Molly O'Brien
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Top-Seeded Panthers Face Butler In Semifinals Sunday
Milwaukee to host remainder of Horizon League Tournament
Horizon League Semifinals
No. 4•Butler Bulldogs (15-13) at
No. 1•Milwaukee Panthers (19-8)
Game 29 Sunday, March 5 • Noon
Klotsche Center (5,000) • Milwaukee, Wis.
Television: WMLW in Milwaukee • Radio: None
uwmpanthers.com: Live Stats, Video and Audio
Game Notes in PDF Format
Updated Player Bios
Game Recaps
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (March 4, 2006) - The top-seeded University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team gets to finish its run for a league tournament title at home, hosting No. 4 Butler Sunday at noon in the semifinals of the 2006 Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship. Tip-off is scheduled for noon at the Klotsche Center. The Panthers won their school-record 10th-straight game, 76-56, against No. 8 Loyola in the quarterfinals Thursday.
Webcasting/Television Schedule
The Horizon League Semifinals will be broadcast live on the internet in streaming video as per the league's partnership with CSTV. All games are free and can be accessed on the schedule/results page of horizonleague.org. The semifinals will also be carried on WMLW in Milwaukee. Monday's championship game will be broadcast live on ESPNU, but unavailable online. Also, each Panther webcast will be available on Time Warner Digital Cable's Wisconsin On Demand, channel 1111, after the game is played.
Let's Stay Home
Milwaukee finds itself hosting the remainder of the Horizon League Tournament. Youngstown State held hosting rights, but lost its quarterfinal contest at UW-Green Bay Thursday, 63-53. The Panthers' acquired the hosting rights via its No. 1 seed.
We Are The Champions
With UWM's win over Loyola Feb. 25, it clinched its second league championship and first since sharing the title with UW-Green Bay in 2000-01. The Panthers are once again co-champions with UWGB, but earned the top seed by virtue of a regular season sweep of the Phoenix. Milwaukee is the top seed in the tournament for the first time in team history.
All-League Honors
Freshman Traci Edwards was rewarded for her standout season by being named the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year and to the all-league first team. Senior Nichole Drummond joined her on the first team and was named to the all-defensive team. This marked the first time the Panthers landed two players on the league's first team. Sophomore Meredith Onson also joined Edwards on the all-newcomer team.
Coach Of The Year
Head coach Sandy Botham was named Horizon League Coach of the Year for the third time in her 10-year tenure. She previously earned the award in her first season (1996-97) and in the Panthers' previous championship season (2000-01).
Going Streaking
The Panthers set a school record with its 10th-straight win of the season Thursday against Loyola. The run eclipses a pair of nine-game stretches during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.
Happy New Year!
UWM ended 2005 on a sour note, losing to Butler in overtime after overcoming a large, late deficit. But, since the calendar switched to 2006, the Panthers have been all smiles. Milwaukee has won 15 of 16 games this calendar year in addition to its 10-game win streak.
Reaching New Heights
Thanks to the Panthers' recent success, they have pushed their record to 20-8. The 20 wins are tied for the most in UWM's Division I era, tying theteam-record 20-8 mark posted in 2001-02. Milwaukee is also at least 12 games over .500 for the first time since being that season.
Scouting Butler
Butler enters Sunday's contest as the fourth seed and having alternated wins and losses over its last six games. The Bulldogs won their quarterfinal, Wednesday night against Detroit, 58-45. BU averages just under 70 points per game, largely on three-point shooting. The team entered the week third in the nation with 7.9 three-pointers per game on 39.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Lade Akande leads the team with 16.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. All-League First Team honoree Jackie Closser is second at 15.0 points, but leads the league with 5.3 assists per contest. Ellen Hamilton also averages in double figures (12.7) and is shooting 46.9 percent on three's, second in the nation.
Series History
Milwaukee holds the 14-12 series advantage with Butler, including a series split this season. The Panthers are, however, 11-2 against Butler over the last 13 meetings and 15-7 under Sandy Botham. UWM and BU are meeting in the league tournament for the first time.
Injury Update
Sophomore Dana Schultz will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury suffered in practice. Freshman Kim Wypiszynski will likely assume her starting role, as she did Thursday against Loyola. Schultz had started 26 of the first 27 games this season, averaging 3.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. It is not the same knee that cost Schultz her true sophomore season.
Regular Season Series
Each team won on the road in the season series, with Butler scoring an 80-79, overtime win at the Klotsche Center and Milwaukee coming out on top, 74-62, in Indianapolis. The Panthers fought back from a late 18-point deficit to force overtime in the first meeting before shooting 60 percent in the rematch for the win.
Tournament History
In 13 Division I league tournaments, the Panthers are 6-12 with one league title. The first came in the Mid-Continent Conference, while the last 12 have come in the Horizon League/MCC. In fact, they are the only team other than UW-Green Bay to win a tourney crown in the last eight years. While this is the team's first number one seed, it has been seeded second four times.
Swept Away
UWM completed a season sweep of Loyola Feb. 25, its sixth sweep of a league team this season. Under Sandy Botham, the Panthers have completed 38 league sweeps, while being swept just seven times in 10 seasons. Youngstown State picked up a rare sweep against Milwaukee last season, the first sweep by a team other than UW-Green Bay since 1998-99.
Revenge Is A Dish Best Served Cold
Milwaukee's win at UIC Feb. 23 gave UWM sweet revenge for its loss at the UIC Pavilion last season. In fact, UWM has avenged each of its five league losses from last season, including sweeps of both Youngstown State and UWGB.
With a Little Help from My Friends
Over their last three games, the Panthers have picked up 68 assists on 84 made baskets, giving them six 20-plus assist games this season. That figure pushes UWM's season total to 469, tying the school record set in 2000-01. The team also had been on pace to have five players top 50 assists in the same season for the first time since 2001-02. Meredith Onson leads the team with 94, while senior Molly O'Brien (85), Traci Edwards (65) and Nichole Drummond (54) have also reached 50. Dana Schultz needed just six more to be the fifth Panther to the mark before suffering a season-ending injury.
Individually Speaking...
Edwards' total seems most impressive, in relative terms. She has sprinted past the school record for assists by a center of 49, set by Kimberly Becker last season. Meanwhile, Onson has a chance to become the first UWM player to 100 assists in a season since 2001-02, while O'Brien has a chance to join her for the first 100-assist UWM teammates since 1999-00.
Taking Things National
The Panthers are popping up in the national statistic rankings lately, sitting among the top 50 in four categories when the NCAA released its latest statistics Tuesday. Their best field has been rebounding, where the team's rebounding margin is 27th among the 324 Division I schools. UWM is also 28th in field goal percentage, 30th in assists and 46th with just 15.6 personal fouls per game.
Cleaning The Glass Like Windex
As evidenced by their national standing, the Panthers have found success rebounding the ball this season. They lead the league by over 3.2 boards per game, while their rebounding margin of +6.4 is 5.9 better than the next best team (Youngstown, +0.5). In league play, Milwaukee's numbers were even better, as its 40.1 rpg average was 4.3 better than second-best and its rebounding margin of +10.6 was 7.6 better than second. UWM has outrebounded 21-of-28 opponents this season, posting an 18-3 record in those games. While going just 2-4 in games where opponents have pulled down more boards, UWM has won its last two games in that instance.
Sharp Shooters
Milwaukee has done its best to reduce rebounding chances, shooting the ball at a record pace this season. It has hit on 44.7 percent of its shots from the field. The school record is 44.3 percent, set in 1991-92. In league play, that figure jumped to a league-best 46.6 percent.
Stifling Defense
On the other end of the court, UWM has been getting the job done, as well. The Panthers lead the league in opponent field goal percentage, both overall (42.0%) and in league-only games (39.0 percent). Just one league team eclipsed 45 percent shooting (46% at Butler) against Milwaukee, while nine times its opponent was held to 37.5 percent or lower. UWM also finished the league slate with 14 stretches of five minutes-or-more where an opponent was held without a field goal.
• A Look At UWM's Key Defensive Droughts
Dec. 31 vs. Butler - 7:22 at end of regulation and to start of OT - UWM went on a 23-3 run to erase an 18-point deficit with 6:43 to play and take a three-point lead in overtime.
Feb. 4 at UW-Green Bay - 5:41 last in he first half - UWGB had pulled within one, but the Panthers pushed their lead to five with less than two minutes to go in the half.
Feb. 9 vs. Loyola - final 11:41 of second half - UWM had fallen down three, but closed the game on a 20-8 run to win by nine.
Feb. 11 at Butler - 5:06 in first half - Panthers turned three-point deficit into five point lead with 10-2 run, a lead they would not relinquish.
In And Out
Nichole Drummond and Traci Edwards give the Panthers a formidable inside/outside punch that was on display at Butler Feb. 11. The duo combined for 45 points on 20-of-26 shooting. It was the third game this season they each topped 20 points. One of them has scored team-high points in 25-of-28 games and at least one has scored double digits in all but one game. Drummond and Edwards have also both scored at least 10 points in 18 contests. Currently, Edwards leads the team with 16.3 points per game, while Drummonds is averaging 12.4.
20/20 Vision
Traci Edwards has 15 double-doubles this season in 28 games, but it was No. 9 that proved to be the most impressive. At Wright State Jan. 26, she scored a team-high 21 points and pulled down a school-record 22 rebounds. The rookie center broke the school mark of 21 reached last by Maria Viall twice during the 2002-03 season. The game was Milwaukee's first 20/20 game since the second of those games, Feb. 2, 2003. The 22 boards are also tied for second in history for a Horizon League game. Feb. 13, Edwards nearly matched her record-setting rebound feat, pulling down 21 boards vs. UW-Green Bay.
Efficient Ain't She
Edwards has been receiving a lot of attention this season for her gaudy scoring and rebounding totals, but what has been most impressive has been her efficiency from the field. Edwards entered the week shooting a league-best 58.9 percent from the field, a figure that was 14th in the nation. Among fellow freshman, her shooting percentage ranked third nationally. The school record for field goal percentage in a season is 57.5 by Maria Viall in 2001-02.
Caught 1,000
With a lay-in just over midway through the first half against UW-Green Bay Feb. 4, Nichole Drummond became the 14th member of Milwaukee's 1,000 point club. She is also the sixth player to do it in UWM's Division I era. Maria Viall, in 2002-03, had been the last player to reach 1,000 and finished her career with a school-record 1,867 points. Drummond now has 1,119 career points and has jettisoned to No. 10 on the school's all-time scoring list, passing four members of the 1,000-point club in the last six games. At her current scoring pace, she could move as high as eighth (Rachel Mickelson, 1,152 pts) with a deep run by the Panthers in the league tournament.
Players Of The Week
Nichole Drummond was named Horizon League Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks this season, earning her second-straight honor Feb. 13. Overall, the Panthers had garnered the award three-straight times and four times on the year. Traci Edwards earned the award twice, Jan.30 and Jan. 9.
Quite The Effect
Traci Edwards' 20-rebound games have her averaging over 10 per game. While posting double-doubles in half of her games, she is on pace to be just the fourth Panther to average a double-double for a season. Maria Viall did it in each of her last two seasons, while Erica Young accomplished the feat in 1993-94. She also sits just 25 boards from tying Viall's single-season rebounding record of 315.
Freshmen Host Block Party
Freshman Traci Edwards has 43 blocks this season, a UWM freshman record and fourth-best in school history. Fellow frosh Katie Fournier is second on the team with 12 on the year and blocked seven shots in a two-game stretch Feb. 18-23, including five against Youngstown State Feb. 18. That figure is tied for second-most in a game in team history. The rookie blocks don't stop there, as Emily Markert is fourth on the team, having six blocks this season.
Change Of Pace
The 2004-05 Panthers established themselves as a guard-oriented squad and set school records for three-pointers made and attempted in a season. This season, UWM has gone inside, and is averaging more than six less three-point attempts per game (20.7-14.2). In fact, in back-to-back games against Wright State (Jan. 5) and Youngstown State (Jan. 14), the Panthers attempted just 14 treys, including a season-low six at YSU. Milwaukee has eclipsed 20 three-point tries just twice this season after hitting the mark 19 times last year. Meanwhile, it has attempted 11 or fewer nine times, going 6-3 in those games and winning its last six.
But, There Are Exceptions
With added pressure of opponents in the paint on Traci Edwards, the Panthers have still taken advantage of their outside chances. At Green Bay Feb. 4, UWM attempted a season-high 26 three-pointers, hitting on a season-high nine. It's next outing was more conservative, as Milwaukee hit 6-of-11 from behind the arc for a season-best 54.5 percent. The team is 9-0 this season when making at least six three's after shooting 8-for-16 from long distance against the Phoenix in their rematch Feb. 13, and making 14-of-32 three's over its last two regular season games.
And One!
Part of the team's increased inside game is its increased three-point play tries. The Panthers have drawn contact on 57 made baskets this season and converted the ensuing free throw 39 times. Against Wright State on Jan. 26, UWM was 4-for-4 in such cases. Traci Edwards leads the team in the category, going 24-for-31 (.774) from the free throw line in a three-point play situations.
On Their Best Behavior
The Panthers have been on their best behavior this season on the basketball court. In fact, when Molly O'Brien fouled out at Wright State Jan. 26, she was just the second UWM player to do so this season. That figure is second in the league (UW-Green Bay - 1), while no other team has less than three. That game, Milwaukee committed 19 fouls after a then-season-low 10 fouls against UIC and its previous best of 11 the game before that at Northwestern. Feb. 13 against UW-Green Bay, the Panthers were whistled for just nine. On the other side of things, opponents are averaging 3.4 fouls more than UWM and have had 15 players foul out this season.
Coaching Milestones
Sandy Botham became the second coach in league history with 100 wins when UWM topped Cleveland State Jan. 28. She joined Green Bay's Kevin Borseth in the club. He won his 100th league contest earlier this season. For Botham, it was the second notable milestone she reached this season, surpassing 150 wins at UWM Jan. 12 at Youngstown State. She is one of just two coaches in school history to reach the mark, joining M.A.Kelling (284).
Preseason Poll
The Panthers were picked to finish third in the Horizon League in the annual league preseason poll of coaches, SIDs and media. Milwaukee, which finished second or better in the league in each of the last six seasons, received 167 points to finish behind UW-Green Bay (221 points) and Wright State (178). The Phoenix received 23 first place votes with UWM collecting the other two. Seniors Nichole Drummond and Molly O'Brien were also named to preseason all-league teams, with Drummond getting a first-team nod and O'Brien being named to the second team.
League Success
UWM came into the season looking to build on a strong tradition of success in league play and did not disappoint. The Panthers finished second or better in the league in each of the last seven seasons, including a co-regular season championships in 2001 and 2006. Over that time, they have compiled a 84-24 (.778) league record, trailing only UW-Green Bay (96-12), while the next best record is UIC at 57-51.
League Standings Since 1999-00
UW-Green Bay 96-12 (.889)
Milwaukee 84-24 (.778)
UIC 57-51 (.528)
Detroit 56-52 (.519)
Wright State 44-64 (.407)
Butler 39-69 (.361)
Cleveland State 39-69 (.361)
Loyola 34-74 (.315)
Youngstown State* 23-57 (.288)
* YSU joined the league in 2001-02
No Easy Task
Head coach Sandy Botham has traditionally scheduled a tough non-league slate to get her team ready for the Horizon League season. This year is no different, as the Panthers face a total of four teams that advanced to the post-season last year. After opening the season with an NCAA Tourney team in Oklahoma, UWM had a stretch of six-straight opponents that won 20-or-more games in 2004-05, including nationally-ranked DePaul. The Blue Demons advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Iowa (Nov. 20) and Marquette (Dec. 18) qualified for the WNIT after last season, with the Hawkeyes making it to the semifinals. In their six-game stretch against 20-win foes, Milwaukee posted a respectable 3-3 record.
Welcome Back
Junior Aubrey Hampton joins Nichole Drummond and Molly O'Brien as returning starters, while Milwaukee returns six of the top 10 players in their rotation from last season. Drummond was a first-team all-league honoree last season, while O'Brien was named to the all-league second and league all-defensive teams. Hampton made 19 starts, while five more players return with starting experience.
And To The New Faces...
The Panthers expect to receive a number of contributions from newcomers, with a pair of sophomore transfers and six freshmen. Meredith Onson (Boston U.) and Aubri Rote (Lakeland) will be eligible this year after sitting out 2004-05 due to NCAA transfer rules. Traci Edwards, Emily Markert and Turquoise McCain head the freshman class that also includes Kim Wypiszynski and Katie Fournier. Onson and Edwards will look to make their marks in the starting lineup, while each player could vie for time in the regular rotation this season.
New Faces On The Sidelines
The Milwaukee sideline will feature a few new faces in 2005-06, most notably with the addition of a pair of new assistant coaches. John Motherwell and Holly Spoo were named to the Panther staff over the summer, joining Jennifer Murphy, who is in her second season. Motherwell came to UWM from Minnesota State Moorhead, while Spoo spent last season at Wayne State College in Nebraska. Also new in 2005-06 are director of basketball operations LaTrisa Jackson and the team's athletic trainer Renee Manofsky.
On The Air
For the second-straight season, select Milwaukee women's basketball games can be heard throughout Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin live on 1290 AM WMCS. All games, including the pregame and postgame shows and the weekly coaches' show, can also be heard on the officially-sanctioned website of UWM athletics - www.uwmpanthers.com. Bob Brainerd will serve as the voice of the Panthers for the remainer of season, calling a majority of the remaining games and and hosting the Sandy Botham Show.
Head Strong
Feb. 16 against Detroit, Molly O'Brien left the game after a head-to-head collision with Katie Solner. She required stitches and has since donned a headband to cover the wound. With the headband, she is averaging 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. She is also shooting 60.5 percent (23-38) from the field and 54.5 percent (6-11) from beyond the arc.
Up Next
The Panthers are looking to advance to the second league championshiop game in team history with a win. The semifinal winners will meet Monday at 3 p.m. at the Klotsche Center. The title game will be televised live on ESPNU.
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