Women's Basketball Looks To Rebound in Home Opener
11/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2000
Tue., Nov. 21, 2000 Wis.-Milwaukee U.S. Cellular Arena, Milwaukee 7 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 24, 2000 vs. Northern Iowa McKeon Pavillion, Moraga, Calif. 5:35 p.m. PST
Sat., Nov. 25, 2000 St. Mary's/So. Utah McKeon Pavillion, Moraga, Calif. 5:35/7:35 p.m. PST
After opening the season on the road with a 70-57 loss to Iowa, Marquette plays on its home floor for the first time in the 2000-2001 season. The visitors are the UW-Milwaukee Panthers, who make the short trip for the contest. Both schools are coming of losses and seek their first win of the year in this contest between Milwaukee schools.
Following UWM, Marquette travels to northern California to take part in the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Tournament. The first opponent is Northern Iowa. If Marquette defeats UNI, the Golden Eagles will play at 7:35 p.m. PST against the winner of St. Mary's/Southern Utah. Should MU lose, it would play at 5:35 p.m. PST against the loser of that same contest.
SCOUTING UW-MILWAUKEE
UW-Milwaukee enters its contest with Marquette having lost its opener in close fashion, 67-64 to Illinois State. Leading the way for the Panthers, guard sophomore Jessica Wilhite scored a game-high 17 points on 7-17 shooting. Junior forward Allison Klass scored 13 off the bench in the loss.
Part of UWM's perils came at the free throw line where it made just 12 of 23 attempts for a .522 mark.
Last season: At the Klotsche Center on the UWM campus, Abbie Willenborg scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Golden Eagles defeated the Panthers 70-51 on Dec. 1, 1999.
Series History: UW-Milwaukee leads, 18-15.
Possible Starters Marquette Ht. Yr. Stats G Kristi Johnson 5-6 Jr. 6.0 ppg, 2.0 apg G Heidi Bowman 6-0 Sr. 11.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg F Ebony Williams 6-0 Sr. 0.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg F Kristin Seffern 6-2 So. 2.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg C Sarah Zawodny 6-4 Jr. 7.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Wis.-Milwaukee Ht. Yr. Stats G Teri Stoltenberg 5-8 Sr. 7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg G Jessica Wilhite 5-8 So. 17.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg F Holly Tamm 5-7 Jr. 6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg F N. Luchsinger 5-10 Sr. 8.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg C Maria Viall 6-3 Fr. 4.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg
SCOUTING NORTHERN IOWA
Northern Iowa began its season in undefeated fashion taking its first two contests by a combined 11.5 point margin of victory.
The Panthers started in convincing fashion, upending Western Illinois on the road, 86-71. Sophomore forward Katie Miller scored 24 points to lead the way for the Panthers as she hit 9-of-12 shots from the floor. Off the bench freshman forward Amy Swisher added 20 in the win as UNI shot 53 percent for the contest.
Against, UW-Green Bay, Swisher was again the hero off the bench. She led all scorers with 16 points and seven rebounds. She hit 3-of-4 three-point shots. Miller added 15 in a starting roll. The Panthers as a whole, however, did not shot as well in the first game, hitting at a 36 percent pace.
Last meeting: Northern Iowa defeated Marquette, 68-61, on Dec. 19, 1988.
Series History: Series tied, 2-2.
Possible StartersMarquette Ht. Yr. Stats G Kristi Johnson 5-6 Jr. 6.0 ppg, 2.0 apg G Heidi Bowman 6-0 Sr. 11.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg F Ebony Williams 6-0 Sr. 0.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg F Kristin Seffern 6-2 So. 2.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg C Sarah Zawodny 6-4 Jr. 7.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Northern Iowa Ht. Yr. Stats G Kary Dawson 5-8 Sr. 13.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg G Kara Opp 5-9 So. 3.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg F Nikki Spettel 6-0 Sr. 6.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg F Katie Miller 5-10 So. 19.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg C Abbi Schutte 6-4 Jr. 7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg
SCOUTING ST. MARY'S
The host of the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic, St. Mary's comes off one of the larger upsets of the beginning of the college basketball season. St. Mary's dumped 14th-ranked Stanford at home, 74-63 in its season opener. Double-doubles from junior forwards Jerkisha Dosty and Jermisha Dosty powered the Gales to the win. Jerkisha scored 19 points and grabbed 10 boards. Jermisha had 18 points and 18 rebounds.
Last meeting: Marquette defeated St. Mary's, 69-55, on Dec. 14, 1997.
Series History: Marquette leads, 2-0.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN UTAH
The Thunderbirds took second place in the Southern Miss Lady Eagle Classic to open the season. Southern Utah turned in a commanding defensive performance in the first game, stopping Delaware State, 71-27. In the win, the SUU defense held DSU to just 22 percent shooting. Three players scored double figures, led by sophomore guard Lindsey Hill with 17. In the championship, the T-birds dropped a close contest to Southern Miss, 68-64. Again SUU's defense proved difficult, holding Southern Miss to a 39.7 percent shooting performance. Junior guard Megan Woolston did everything she could to get the win, scoring 27 points.
Series History: Marquette and Southern Utah have never met.
Possible StartersSt. Mary's Ht. Yr. Stats G Hilary Parker 6-0 Sr. 8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg G Coriel Davis 5-7 So. 4.0 ppg, 2.0 apg F Julie Morris 6-0 So. 8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg F Jerkisha Dotsy 6-2 Jr. 19.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg C Jermisha Dotsy 6-3 Jr. 18.0 ppg, 18.0 rpg
Southern Utah Ht. Yr. Stats G Megan Woolson 5-9 Jr. 19.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg G Sally Johnson 5-7 Jr. 4.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg F Lindsey Hille 5-9 So. 16.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg F Sarah Mortensen 6-4 Sr. 4.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg C Julie Bellamy 6-3 Jr. 9.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg
HOME SWEET HOME
With a 13-0 home record in 1999-2000, Marquette has amassed a 21-game winning streak at home. Marquette suffered its last home loss on Jan. 1, 1999, a 61-58 defeat at the hands of Cincinnati.
Heading into the 2000-2001 season, Marquette has won 62 percent of all its home games in its 25 previous seasons. Marquette is 176-110 all-time at home prior to this season and is 90-38 (.679) at the U.S. Cellular Arena.
In Terri Mitchell's four previous seasons, Marquette is 44-5 (.900) at home.
1,000-POINT CLUB
Last season, three Marquette players -- Abbie Willenborg, Lisa Oldenburg and Kiesha Oliver -- ended their careers with over 1,000 points. This season, with a little work, senior Heidi Bowman could join the 1,000-point club. Just 15 players in Marquette history have scored at least 1,000 points while at MU.
Bowman has 725 career points and needs 275 points to reach that plateau. Only one season in her career, however, has Bowman scored that many points. In 1998-99, Bowman scored 331 points for the season (11.4 points per game). Last season, Bowman scored 258 points.
1,000-Point Scorers 1. Abbie Willenborg 1997-2000 1,818 15. K. Christianson 1986-89 1,002 Heidi Bowman 1999-pres. 725
THREE-POINT MASTER, PASSING WIZARD
Junior Kristi Johnson has her sights on moving up on the all-time Marquette lists for a pair of shooting records and one for assists. Currently, Johnson is fourth on the all-time three point field goals made list and sixth on the attempted list. Johnson has 94 career three point baskets and 271 career attempts. Next on the list of three pointers made is Courtney Romesiser with 152. Johnson would have to set a personal season best for three pointers in a season as she needs 58 to tie Romesiser.
Johnson is also sixth in attempts with 271. Next on the list is Kerri Reaves, who attempted 287 treys in her career. Also within reach is Kiesha Oliver who launched 303 career trifecta attempts.
Also within reach for Johnson is the top-10 list for assists. Beginning the 2000-2001 season, Johnson has 195 career assists. Oliver is 10th on the list with 261. Johnson needs 67 dishes to pass Oliver. Also within reach is ninth place. Debbie Stampley currently occupies ninth place with 268.
Three-point FGs made 1. Lori Goerlitz 1992-95 223 3. Courtney Romeiser 1990-93 152 4. Kristi Johnson 1999-pres. 94Three-point FGs attempted 1. Lori Goerlitz 1992-95 662 5. Kerri Reeves 1992-95 287 6. Kristi Johnson 1999-pres. 271
Assists 1. Joan Pitroff 1987-90 689 9. Debbie Stampley 1980-83 268 10.Kiesha Oliver 1997-2000 261 Kristi Johnson 1999-pres. 195
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
With the loss to Iowa, Marquette is 13-13 all-time in season-opening contests. The Golden Eagles, had won their last three season openers, prior to the road loss to Iowa. Last season, Marquette knocked off Iowa 69-64 in the beginner in Milwaukee. In games at home to open the season, Marquette is 8-7. When opening on the road, Marquette is 5-5. On neutral courts in openers, Marquette is 0-1.
In its first road contest of the year, Marquette maintains a 6-20 record all-time. In its first home game of the season, MU has a 15-10 record.
FRESHMEN CARRY BIG WEIGHT
With five first-year players on the roster, a lot is expected of the new crew. Four of the five saw significant action in the season opener against Iowa. While none started, all four who played came off the bench. Kelly Schwerman was second in scoring with eight, Crystal Weaver added seven, Becky Stieber tossed in three and Kristin Cuff scored two. In all, the freshman accounted for 35 percent of all MU scoring, 38 percent of rebounds and 29 percent of minutes played.
LAST FIVE MINUTES OF PLAY
Many basketball games are decided in the final five minutes of play. Marquette was forced to scramble against Iowa in the waning moments and the statistics recorded for the final five minutes of that game, may not be as telling as it will be during the course of the season. The Golden Eagles struggled statistically at the end of the game trying to play catch up with the Hawkeyes.
Final Five Minutes -- Season Stat Marquette Opponents Points 3 12 Field Goals 1-11 3-3 Three Point Field Goals 0-6 2-2 Free Throws 1-4 4-6 Offensive Rebounds 7 0 Defensive Rebounds 2 4 Turnovers 3 3 Assists 0 2 Steals 2 1 Blocked Shots 0 1 Fouls 3 2
TOURNAMENT PLAY
Marquette holds an all-time record of 52-64 in tournament on. The Golden Eagles have won five tournament titles in the history of the program, winning the fifth in last season's OSU Classic.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
The Marquette women's basketball team pursues a fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament with a schedule that includes 14 home contests, games with five NCAA tournament teams -- Notre Dame, Brigham Young, Michigan, UAB, and Tulane -- from a year ago, and the Conference USA Postseason tournament. Marquette faces the most difficult non conference schedule of any team in C-USA.
"We've had an outstanding schedule in previous years, and this year is no different," head coach Terri Mitchell stated.
Conference USA Standings 2000-2001 Conference USA Women's Basketball StandingsAmerican Division
Pl. Team C-USA Overall 1. Cincinnati 0-0 1-0 Saint Louis 0-0 1-0 3. Charlotte 0-0 0-1 DePaul 0-0 0-1 Marquette 0-0 0-1 6. Louisivlle 0-0 0-2
National Division
Pl. Team C-USA Overall 1. Southern Miss 0-0 2-0 2. Houston 0-0 1-0 Memphis 0-0 1-0 4. Tulane 0-0 3-1 5. UAB 0-0 1-1 6. South Florida 0-0 0-1