Golden Eagles Set to Host Illinois in WNIT First Round

March 16, 2006

The Marquette women's basketball team opens up play in the postseason tomorrow night, when it hosts Illinois (16-14) in the first round of the WNIT. Gametime at the Al McGuire Center is set for 7 p.m. It is the eighth postseason appearance in the last 10 years for the Golden Eagles (18-10).

MU has been idle since March 4, after dropping a 68-46 decision to Villanova in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament. The loss was disappointing, but according to head coach Terri Mitchell, her team has responded well since then, having more than a week and a half of positive practices.

"I have been extremely pleased with our team's efforts since the Villanova loss." said Mitchell. "Our team has the right attitude, the proper focus, and the attention to details in regards to the film and the scouting reports that you need to have in the postseason."

Illinois, which plays in the Big Ten Conference, advanced to tomorrow's game after downing intra-state rival Western Illinois, 58-37, in Champaign on Wednesday night. Danyel Crutcher registered a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, as the Fighting Illini held WIU to just 28% shooting from the floor.

"One thing we need to avoid is starting off slow, due to rust. We need energy out there." Mitchell stated. "We've been off since the BIG EAST Tournament, while Illinois played yesterday."

Three players average double-digits in scoring for the Illini, led by Janelle Hughes' 13.0 points per outing. Erin Wigley (11.3) and Lori Bjork (10.2) are the other two. Audrey Tabon leads the squad in rebounding - at 7.2 boards per game - while Crutcher and Wigley each average 5.4 rebounds per game.

"Illinois is a very talented team on both sides of the ball." Mitchell said. "They do a great job rebounding the basketball and their frontcourt has the ability to really light it up on the offensive end."

Last time out, in the opening round of the BIG EAST tournament, the Golden Eagles got a career-high 29 points from freshman guard Krystal Ellis. But while the 5-10 Racine native was filling it up, the MU post players struggled. The starting trio of Christina Quaye, Jasmine McCullough, and Svetlana Kovalenko combined to shoot 3-for-17 from the floor. But Mitchell is confident that her three post players are ready to turn it around.

"Everyone on the roster has contributed in practice, especially our post players. They're out to make up for their last outing and we're all very confident in their abilities." Mitchell said.

"Tomorrow night, itt is key for us to play Marquette basketball - and that's defending, rebounding, getting our post players involved, and getting our guards out on the run." she added. "We need energy, we need focus, we need passion, and we need to play with the sense of urgency that you need to be successful in the postseason."

The game can be heard live on Marquette student radio, beginning at 7 p.m.