Marquette University
Louisville
Marquette Reaches Milestones With Win Over Louisville
2/13/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 13, 2000
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Marquette women's basketball team became clinched the Conference USA American Division crown and became the fastest Marquette team ever to 20 wins this afternoon with a gutsy 60-49 victory over Louisville at Freedom Hall. Marquette got 17 points from Abbie Willenborg in improving to 20-4 overall and 12-1 in C-USA. With the loss, Louisville falls to 14-10, 7-6.
The game was also highlighted by Marquette senior Kiesha Oliver reaching the 1,000-career point milestone. The 5-9 senior, who helped the MU cause with 11 points, becomes the third member of Marquette's senior class to surpass the 1,000-point plateau. The 20th win also mark the fourth consecutive season that Terri Mitchell and her Marquette squad have reached tht total, a school record.
"The nice part is that evryone is contributing for us. It's not just about points, it's what everybody is doing the help the team get wins," Mitchell said.
Marquette raced out to 10-point lead just four minutes into the game by looking inside to Lisa Oldenburg and Abbie Willenborg, who finished the half with eight points. However, both Golden Eagle post players, along with Kiesha Oliver and Ebony Williams, ran into foul trouble and Louisville clawed its way back into the game. Using some timely three-pointers, inlcuding two from Jill Morton, and a harrassing defense, the Lady Cards cut the margin to five. The final two of Heidi Bowman's seven first-half points put Marquette up 29-21 at the break.
Louisville mounted a furious comeback after the break by turning to Morton. The 5-5 senior All-C-USA candidate scored 16 of her game-high 22 points in the second half to help the Lady Cards pull within four with just under nine minutes remaning. However, Marquette looked for Willenborg, who scored seven straight points for the Golden Eagles to secure the win.
Oldenburg concluded the contest with 15 points and seven boards. Heidi Bowman tallied nine points and a game-high nine rebounds.
The American Division crown gives Marquette a first-round bye in the C-USA Tournament here next month.
"It's great to get the bye, but we're not going to let up," Mitchell said. "We have set some goals for the remainder of this season and we're still going to shoot for them."
The Golden Eagles host their last homestand of the regular season next weekend. They welcome UNC Charlotte to Milwaukee on Fri., Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. (CT), before hosting Saint Louis on Sun., Feb. 20, at 2 p.m.
