Marquette University Athletics
"Pink Out" Tonight as Marquette hosts Providence
1/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Marquette will be in search of its 15th win - and sixth in BIG EAST play - when it hosts Providence tomorrow night at home.
While tomorrow is a big game on the court, it will also have a big cause behind it. Tomorrow night is "Pink Out" at the Al McGuire Center and fans attending the game are encouraged to wear pink to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sport Day (NGWS). NGWS day was chartered by Congress in 1986 to honor female athletic achievement and recognize the importance of sports and fitness participation for all girls and women. There will be pink Marquette women?s basketball t-shirts and hats for sale at the game, with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Awareness & Milwaukee Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Program (MBCCAP). Also, Pam Kruse - the 2006 Milwaukee Women?s Sports Leader of the Year - will be honored at halftime for her commitment to girls? athletics and physical education at Milwaukee?s Washington High School.
"The Marquette Women?s Basketball program wanted to show support for the community." said head coach Terri Mitchell. "We came up with the idea to sell pink Marquette Women?s Basketball t-shirts back in October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a win-win, with women helping promote not only breast cancer awareness, but also raise money for a good cause, MBCCAP.
Mitchell added, "We are also recognizing National Girls & Women in Sport Day tomorrow, as well as our 2006 Milwaukee Women?s Sports Leader of the Year, Pam Kruse. It is important to recognize all of the contributions that our fans have made to MBCCAP and Breast Cancer Awareness. I think holding a 'Pink Out' helps tie everything together."
Last time out, on Jan. 28, the Golden Eagles cruised to a 72-51 victory over Seton Hall. Freshmen Krystal Ellis, Erin Monfre, and Marissa Thrower led the way, accounting for 36 of MU's 72 points. Ellis had a game-high 16, while Monfre and Thrower each registered career-highs of 12 and eight points, respectively. Marquette shot 52.0% from the floor - the third time in the last four games that they shot better than 50.0% from the field. The 21-point margin of victory was the third-best of the 2005-06 season, behind Montana State (+28) and Rice (+25).
"We weren't happy with the lack of energy the team showed at Villanova, so we aimed to correct that against Seton Hall." head coach Terri Mitchell said.
But the play of the three newcomers was particularly pleasing to Mitchell, especially the hot-shooting from Monfre. Entering the game, the 2005 Wisconsin Ms. Basketball award winner had connected on just 7-of-41 from the perimeter. Against Seton Hall, she connected on her first four three-pointers and was 4-for-5 for the game.
"It was great to see Erin shooting the ball as well as we all know she can." Mitchell said. "And for the other freshman - Krystal and Marissa - to step up and give us the spark we needed on offense and defense was really terrific to watch. This is the time of year that team's need others to step up and contribute. We have a talented group of veterans, to have three freshmen contribute like that in a league win is really important."
Providence is coming to Milwaukee to face Marquette for the first time ever. The Friars are 6-13 overall and 1-7 in BIG EAST play and are enjoying a fine turnaround season under first-year head coach Phil Seymore. Providence was 1-28 last season. On Jan. 7, PC defeated Cincinnati, 58-57, to snap a 39-game winless streak in conference play. This season, four of its seven losses in league play have come by 10 points or less.
They are led by three players who are scoring in double figures. Shauna Snyder leads the way, averaging 13.5 points per game, followed by senior Gayle Nwafili and freshman Chelsea Marandola's 12.9 points per contest. Shantee Darrian leads the team in rebounding (9.8 rpg), followed by Nwafili's 9.3 boards per game.
"They are a team that plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor." said Mitchell. "Their coaching staff has done a very nice job this year in turning their program around. They are tough and we will have to respect their grittiness."
Former Marquette standout Kerri Reaves (1992-95) is an assistant coach with Providence. She ranks 12th on MU?s all-time scoring list, with 1,203 points, and 11th in rebounding, with 608. Reaves led the Golden Eagles in scoring during her senior season, at 17.6 ppg.
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