Women's Basketball January 15, 2016

Milwaukee Looks To Make It Three In A Row Saturday

Panthers host Valparaiso at 2 p.m.

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee women's basketball team will look to finish its brief home stand a perfect 2-0 Saturday when Valparaiso makes the short trip to the Klotsche Center at 2 p.m. The Panthers won a thriller on Thursday, taking down UIC, 54-53, on Sierra Ford-Washington's jumper with seven seconds left. Valparaiso is coming off an 81-42 loss at Green Bay Thursday.

LOOKING AT VALPARAISO
The Crusaders were picked to finish last in the preseason Horizon League poll but have already shown they have plenty of fight, starting off the league season with a 2-3 mark. Valpo won a nail bitter at Northern Kentucky for a one-point win to start the conference slate before a 15-point win over Oakland just last week. League-leading Green Bay took down VU on Thursday, 81-42. After starting the season 0-6 against a difficult non-conference schedule, Valpo has gone 6-4 since a Dec. 5 loss at Louisville.

Three Crusaders are averaging double digits in points this season, including preseason second-team all-league selection Dani Franklin. Franklin has yet to start a game for Tracey Dorow's team this year, but is racking up 10.8 ppg. Jasmyn Walker averages 12.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg, while Meredith Hamlet is scoring 11.5 per contest.

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's game figures to be another good one between Milwaukee and Valparaiso. The two teams have split the last two season series, with each team winning on its home court. In fact, these two teams met in the Horizon League Tournament last year, with UWM winning 77-64. The overall series tilts in Milwaukee's favor, 15-9.

UP NEXT
It's back to the state of Ohio for the Panthers next week, this time heading to Dayton for a Thursday night contest against league-leading Wright State at 6 p.m. Central Time.

LAST GAME
Sierra Ford-Washington hit a close-range jumper in traffic with seven seconds left on the clock to give the Milwaukee women's basketball team a well-deserved 54-53 win over UIC Thursday evening from the Klotsche Center.

Milwaukee (8-7, 2-2 Horizon) trailed by as many as 11 in the first half and was down by one with 17 seconds remaining. UWM drew it up for Ford-Washington to take the shot, and she hit it with a pair of UIC (9-7, 0-5 Horizon) players in her face to give UWM the lead with seven seconds left.

UIC had time for one last shot, but Jenny Lindner blocked the final attempt to seal the win for Milwaukee.

"The look in our players eyes, you could see how much they wanted (this one)," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "I was really proud of how hard they played, especially in the second half. There was no quit in them, they didn't look at the score, they just came out in the second half with this heart and this passion that we were going to find a way to win."

Ford-Washington led the way for UWM with 17 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals. Steph Kostowicz also was big offensively on the night, scoring 14 and grabbing nine boards.

Lindner added eight points and four rebounds to go with her game-ending block.

Sydney Howard also came up huge for Milwaukee Thursday, with a line of three points, five rebounds and three steals, while forcing quite a few turnovers with her high-pressure defense all night long.

PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTONS
Coach Rechlicz has changed up her starting line up the past six games with plenty of solid results in each contest. Against Youngstown State, Christina Wakeman got the nod for the first time this season and made the most of her 13 minutes. The junior scored the first five points of the game for Milwaukee and finished with a season-high seven points to go with five rebounds. Then, against Cleveland State, Jenny Lindner came off the bench for the first time this season and went 7-for-10 from the floor for 14 points - her highest scoring output in nearly a month (25 pts at EIU, 12/10).

DE-FENSE
Milwaukee has been posting some impressive defensive numbers over the last month. In its last six games, the Panthers are averaging just 56.5 points against per contest. There have been quite a few standout performances during that stretch, as well.

In it's 62-46 win over Cleveland State on Jan. 9, UWM held the Vikings to just 12 made field goals - just one shy of the school record. The 14 first-half points also marked the lowest total of the season and the third-lowest in school history. In fact, the Panthers held CSU without a field goal for over 10 minutes between the first and second half.

Then, one game later against UIC, the Panthers overcame a rough second quarter to limit the Flames to just 11 and 12 points in each of the final two periods to claim a 54-53 win.

THE W'S AND THE L'S
As one might expect, there are certainly some stark statistical differences in Milwaukee's eight wins compared to its seven losses:

                          W's    L's
FG%                   .420   .310
Def FG%              .326   .442
3FG%                 .360   .231
3FG's Made/GM    6.8     5.1
PPG                    67.2   55.4
PPG Against           54.6   72.3

STARTING THE CONFERENCE SEASON
After a 54-53 win over UIC on Jan. 14, Milwaukee improved to 2-2 in Horizon League play this season. While it's still early, that marks the best start through four league games under head coach Kyle Rechlicz. In fact, it's the best conference start for UWM since the 2007-08 season when that team went 5-1 in the early going.

CLOSING OUT THE NON-CONFERENCE
With Milwaukee's 55-48 win over Chicago State on Jan. 3, it finished out its non-conference schedule with a winning record of 6-5. In fact, while it has been close plenty of times, UWM has not finished with a winning out-of-conference mark since the 2001-02 season when it went 6-5. Ironically, the sixth win in that season also came on the road against Chicago State.

FAST STARTS
One other notable stat from Milwaukee's eight wins is how fast the team gets out of the starting blocks. The Panthers are outscoring their opponents 273-189 in the opening half when they win, including a 141-96 edge in the second quarter.

WORKING THE GLASS
Milwaukee has made a clear emphasis on the rebounding front this season, and it has shown. The Panthers are out rebounding their opponents by a remarkable 6.5 per game, including a decisive 42-22 edge against Chicago State Jan. 3. In fact, UWM is averaging 10 more boards than its opponents in wins (42.0-32.1), and still has the edge in losses, though the margin is much closer (41.6-39.0).

Here's a look at some of the largest rebounding margins for Milwaukee thus far this season:

1. +24 vs. IPFW (50-26)
2. +21 at Youngstown State (46-25)
3. +20 at Chicago State (42-22)
4. +17 vs. La Salle (53-36)

EARLY CHARITY SUCCESS
The Panthers are off to an impressive start from the free throw line, currently near the lead in the Horizon League with a 73.1 percent clip after sinking 196-of-268 in their first 15 games. That's a better ratio than the past few seasons. Milwaukee shot 69.8 percent last year and have not finished over 70 percent since a program-record 79.1 percent showing back in 2010-11.

In fact, Milwaukee has two of the best free throw shooters in the league this season. Sierra Ford-Washington - who twice has gone 8-for-8 in a game this year - ranks fourth in the league at 86.2. Meanwhile, Jenny Lindner - who went 10-for-10 once this season and hasn't missed a free throw in 2016 - ranks second at 88.5 percent this year.

400 AND COUNTING!
The Panthers have turned it up from three-point range recently, but have always been a threat from long distance. In fact, the team has a long history of making three's. Milwaukee has made at least one three-pointer in every game dating back to an 0-for-4 showing from long-distance against Marquette back on November 26, 2002. That makes 404 games in a row heading into the game against the Crusaders. It's still a ways to go for the NCAA record, however, which is held by Canisius at 510 in a row (1994-2011). The Horizon League record was halted four years ago when Loyola came up empty at 446. Cleveland State held the record previously - which was also the NCAA mark at the time - at 408 (1992-2007). For comparison, the NBA's longest streak is the Dallas Mavericks at 1,108 in a row.

SHARP SHOOTER
Milwaukee's Alexis Lindstrom has hit some big shots this season; quite of few of which have come from behind the arc. Playing her first season in Milwaukee, the junior has connected on at least one three pointer in all 15 games this season, hitting three or more four different times and netting a season-high five against La Salle Nov. 28.

In fact, Lindstrom hasn't gone a full game without a made three pointer since March 8, 2014 while she was playing at Northern Illinois.

INSIDE OUT
While it's no secret that Milwaukee has been hitting plenty of threes since Kyle Rechlicz was named head coach, this year's squad has a different identity than Rechlicz's first three teams. The Panthers have been establishing an inside presence much more this season, racking up 374 points in the paint through 15 games. That includes 32 points in the paint at Youngstown State Jan 7 followed by 40 at Cleveland State just two days later.

BLOCK PARTY
Sophomore Steph Kostowicz has made quite an impact down in the post defensively for Milwaukee this season. One year after averaging just over one block per game despite battling an injury, the second-year player is averaging 1.8 blocks per game. That number ranks second in the conference and 66th in the nation.

AN OLD, OLD WOODEN SHIP
Milwaukee's offense has been very diverse this season. One year after Ashley Green led the team in scoring in 20 of UWM's 30 games, the Panthers have already had four different players lead the team in scoring through 15 games this season. Jenny Lindner leads the way with six, with Sierra Ford-Washington (five) and Steph Kostowicz (four) also big in the early going.

GO FISCH
Freshman Alyssa Fischer was key off the bench in Milwaukee's win over Eastern Illinois Dec. 14. The Manitowoc native went 4-of-8 from the floor - including 2-of-4 from three - for a season-high 10 points. That was a big lift for Fischer, who had been in an offensive funk since dropping 22 against Tiffin in the exhibition.

5-FOR-5
Despite playing in a season-low 19 minutes due to foul trouble, Steph Kostowicz still made quite the impact in Milwaukee's 73-60 win over IPFW Dec. 28. In fact, Kostowicz was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in the game, the first time a Panther has finished without a miss in a game with a minimum of five attempts since Ashlee Imperial's 6-for-6 performance against Loyola back on Jan. 24, 2009.

10-FOR-10
While Kostowicz did it from the floor against IPFW, Jenny Lindner was perfect from the free throw line in that win. The sophomore drained all 10 of her attempts from the charity stripe, the first Panther to do so since Angela Rodriquez also went 10-for-10 at New Mexico State Nov. 30, 2013.

THE BIG 2-0...TIMES TWO
The Panther offense certainly was clicking in the 82-71 win at Eastern Illinois on Dec. 10. Milwaukee shot nearly 50 percent as a team in that game, headlined by Jenny Lindner and Sierra Ford-Washington both netting 25 points apiece. That marked the first time a pair of Panthers scored at least 20 points in a game this season.

ALL A-BOARD
Steph Kostowicz's performance against NIU on Dec. 3 was one for the ages. The sophomore hauled in an incredible 20 rebounds in the big win to go with 11 points for her second double-double of the season. The 20 rebounds shattered her previous career-high of 14 and ties her for sixth-most in program history. It is also the first time a Panther has collected 20+ rebounds in one game since Traci Edwards accomplished that feat Dec. 30, 2006.

I'LL TAKE LINDNER FOR 25 PLEASE
Sophomore Jenny Lindner was red hot in the second half of Milwaukee's win over EIU Dec. 10, finishing the game tied for a team high 25 points. That was already the second time this season the Neillsville, Wis. native has notched 25 this season, tying her career high set late last year. It marked the fifth 20-point game already in her young career.
1. 25 vs. UMKC, 11/16/15
2. 25 vs. Youngstown State, 2/19/15
3. 25 vs. Eastern Illinois 12/10/15
4. 20 vs. Cleveland State, 2/28/15
5. 20 vs. La Salle, 11/28/15

EFFICIENT, TOO
Not only did Lindner tie her career high with those 25 points in the season opener, but she did it with some of the most efficient shooting in school history by making 10 of her 12 shots on the night. That 83.3 field-goal percentage marked the third-best marksmanship in a single UWM game.

1. .909 (10-of-11), Nichole Drummond, 2/11/06
2. .857 (12-of-14), Traci Edwards, 2/21/08
3. .833 (10-of-12), Lindner

SPORTSCENTER TOP 10
When Sydney Howard hit a three-pointer from near midcourt to beat the halftime buzzer in the Dec. 3 win over NIU, she not only brought the crowd to its feet for a standing ovation, she got the attention of the national media. Howard's buzzer-beater was featured the following day on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays of the day.

PRESEASON PUBLICITY
Sophomore Jenny Lindner was named to the Preseason All-Horizon League Second Team in the league's annual preseason poll by the staff at the College Sports Madness website.

A WHOPPER OF AN OPENER
The 22-point margin of victory was nearly the highest in the history of the program. The only bigger one? That would be Kyle Rechlicz's first-ever game on the Panther bench, a 24-point win over Chicago State, 82-58, back on November 9, 2012.

NEW-LOOK PANTHERS
Milwaukee will have a new look to the roster this season after graduating three influential seniors from a year ago. The roster features six players who were on the team in 2014-15 and nine newcomers. Among the new faces is a trio of transfers (one will be sitting out, one a JUCO transfer and one ready to play this season after sitting out a year ago due to transfer rules) as well as six true freshmen all looking to make a good first impression.

TIME TO STEP UP
The situation allows the Panthers an opportunity for new players to step up or returning players to expand their roles from last season. The team will return just under half - 48.6 percent - of its scoring (963 of 1,981 total points) and just over half - 51.5 percent - of rebounding (558 of 1,083 total individual rebounds). When you break it down further, senior Jordyn Swan, who will miss the season due to injury, accounted for returning totals of 201 points and 108 boards.

HOW THEY ROLL
The Panthers were at it once again from deep last season and it would have been more noticeable had they not been even better at it the previous two years. The team once again finished close to the top of the record book for three-pointers made and attempted. Prior to Kyle Rechlicz's arrival, the most three's made was 212 and attempted was 586. The marks set in 2012-13 (255 of 726) smashed the old standards. In 2013-14, the team finished at 241 makes and 733 attempts, both numbers ending in the top two all-time. After three seasons under Kyle Rechlicz, the triple-happy Panthers nearly hold each of the top three marks for 3's made and attempted for a season.

3's MADE
1. 255 in 2012-13
2. 241 in 2013-14
4. 205 in 2014-15

3's ATTEMPTED
1. 733 in 2013-14
2. 726 in 2012-13
3. 676 in 2014-15

WATCH 'EM ANYWHERE
Fans will have the opportunity to watch the Panthers all season long. The team will play five games on local broadcast television, once again returning to Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. Another 16 games will be carried live online on ESPN3 as well as four other road games via opponent platforms. For the Panthers' TWC SportsChannel contests, Bob Brainerd and former UWM great Maria Viall will once again be calling the action.

HEAD TO THE BIG 920
Nearly every Milwaukee regular-season game will once again be available on the radio and online via "The Big 920" on your AM dial. Scott Warras is back for his 10th season donning the headset. Fans can also catch Warras' call with the majority of the team's ESPN3 webcasts. A select few games will not be aired due to broadcast conflicts.

WELCOME
Head coach Kyle Rechlicz rounded out her staff in the offseason with a series of moves. Ashlee McGee moved up a spot in the assistant coach hierarchy and former video coordinator Dan Carey was promoted to assistant coach, with the recruiting coordinator role also added to his title.

Mike Hamilton was hired as the new Video Coordinator and Molly Hanson as the Director of Basketball Operations.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Ashley Green: G/F; 5' 11"; Senior

#15 Sydney Howard: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#32 Steph Kostowicz: F; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#20 Jenny Lindner: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#5 Alexis Lindstrom: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#41 Jordyn Swan: G/F; 6' 0"; Senior

#43 Christina Wakeman: C; 6' 3"; Junior

#21 Alyssa Fischer: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

#30 Sierra Ford-Washington: G; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#4 Ashley Green
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G/F

#15 Sydney Howard
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#32 Steph Kostowicz
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: F

#20 Jenny Lindner
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#5 Alexis Lindstrom
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#41 Jordyn Swan
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G/F

#43 Christina Wakeman
: 6' 3"; Junior
: C

#21 Alyssa Fischer
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G

#30 Sierra Ford-Washington
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G