Women's Basketball Advances in WNIT

March 20, 2006

AMES, Iowa - Krystal Ellis scored 22 points - including a key three-pointer with 2:30 left in overtime - as Marquette downed Iowa State, 69-63, in the second round of the WNIT in Ames, Ia. tonight.

The Golden Eagles held as much as an eight-point lead - 46-38 with 10:20 to play - but Iowa State put on a 13-5 run over the next 6:30, tying the game at 51-51 with 3:50 to go in regulation. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, before a Lyndsey Medders trifecta with 1:20 to go gave ISU a 56-55 lead - its first since the 6:13 mark of the first half.

"I called timeout and told them that Iowa State is the home team, and home teams make runs. But we were the same team that stepped on the court with confidence to start the game." said head coach Terri Mitchell.

Ellis would respond with a three from the left corner with under a minute to give MU a two point lead (58-56). Medders tied the game at 58-58 and after Marquette could not get a shot off on its last possession, the two teams began overtime.

Marquette took over in the extra period, outscoring the Cyclones, 11-5, holding the home team to 0-for-10 shooting from the floor. The Golden Eagles were 5-for-7 from the field in OT, sealing putting the cap on the win on two consecutive breakaway layups by Jasmine McCullough.

"From the moment the ball was tipped, this team's intensity took over. They simply refused to lose tonight." said Mitchell. "Our game plan was to go as deep as we could and try to wear them down. Ultimately, I think we did - they were 0-10 in OT and I think that's a testament to our intensity and tough play all game long."

The Golden Eagles led throughout the first half, thanks to their tough defense and rebounding. They held a 21-14 edge on the glass in the first 20:00, en route to winning the battle of the boards for the game, 45-32.

"This team is playing with incredible energy. The crowd was incredible, loud, and intense. It was a fun environment to play in."

Ellis scored 17 of her 22 in the second half and extra frame, shooting 9-of-16 from the floor and 4-of-9 from the perimeter. She also tallied three assists, three rebounds and five steals.

"Krystal was hot tonight, and to her teammates credit, they found her." Mitchell said of her standout freshman guard. "Defensively, she used her quickness and came up with some big steals. An Iowa State fan approached me after the game and asked me if she was an upperclassmen. And he was shocked when he found out she's a freshman. That's a nice compliment."

McCullough and Quaye scored 12 and 11 points, respectively. The junior post duo combined for an efficient 9-of-15 shooting from the floor. McCullough grabbed eight rebounds and Quaye added five. Off the bench, Svetlana Kovalenko added eight points, eight boards, and three assists. Thirty-six of Marquette's 69 points came in the paint.

"We rotated our post players quite well and they responded. Svetlana's defense was great, Jasmine's energy was contagious, and Christina was Christina - she did a great job on the blocks for us."

Carolyn Kieger also tallied 11 points, on 5-of-8 shooting, to go along with six rebounds and six assists. The senior point guard is now just three assists shy of breaking MU's all-time assist record of 689.

For the game, Marquette shot 28-for-64 from the floor (43.8%), including 8-of-25 from beyond the arc (32.0%). They attempted just seven free throws, hitting five, while Iowa State was 10-for-14. The Golden Eagles had 19 assists and 21 turnovers.

Next up for the Golden Eagles will be Indiana in the quarterfinal round of the WNIT on Friday night at the Al McGuire Center. Gametime is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Al McGuire Center box office, by calling ticketmaster at (414) 276-4545 or clicking here to purchase tickets.