MILWAUKEE – For the final time in the month of November the Milwaukee women's basketball team will play a home matchup, taking on the visiting Northern Illinois Huskies for a 12:00 p.m. start at the Klotsche Center.
 
Game coverage will be available online on ESPN+, while Milwaukee's audio stream will also be available on the All New Black & Gold Network, as Matt Menzl returns for his ninth season with the program. Fans can also find the audio stream on the 'Varsity Network' App (available in the App Store & Google Play). All links, including live stats can be found on MKEPanthers.com.
 
THE MATCHUP
Sunday, Nov. 24 – Northern Illinois at Milwaukee | Klotsche Center | Milwaukee, Wis. | 12:00 pm
 
QUICK LINKS
Tickets: mkepanthers.com/tickets
Watch on ESPN+: mkepanthers.com/coverage
Listen on Black & Gold Network: mkepanthers.com/coverage
Listen on Varsity Network: App Store & Google Play
Live Stats: mkepanthers.com/coverage
Follow Along (On X): @MKE_WBB
 
PROMOTIONS
Thanksgiving Food Drive – Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to a local food bank as we enter the holiday season.

QUICK NOTES
» After suffering back-to-back losses for the first time this season against Wisconsin on Sunday and Kansas State on Wednesday, the Panthers return home to take on the Northern Illinois Huskies at 12:00 p.m. inside the Klotsche Center.
» Against the 10th-ranked Wildcats of Kansas State on Wednesday, the Panthers were led by Jorey Buwalda with eight points, while Kacee Baumhower had seven of her own in the loss. Another notable from the game for Milwaukee was Izzy Pugh recording three blocks for the Panthers.
» Northern Illinois is 2-2 to start the season including a 77-68 win over Chicago State on Wednesday evening. Alicia Doyle led the Phoenix with 21 points including nine from the charity stripe, while Brooke Stonebraker had a team-high eight rebounds to go along with 17 points.
» In 21 all-time meetings at the Division I level, Northern Illinois holds a slim 11-10 advantage in wins. The teams also met during the 1980-81 season, prior to reaching the DI level, with NIU winning 72-58 for an all-time mark of 12-10 against MKE.
» This will be the first meeting between Milwaukee and Northern Illinois since Nov. 28, 2021, when the Panthers fell to the Huskies by a 69-50 score.
» Milwaukee and Northern Illinois were in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference together from 1993-94 through the 1996-97 season. NIU went 2-6 in conference matchups against Milwaukee during that span.
» At the Klotsche Center, Milwaukee has a 6-3 record against the Huskies, which includes a current six-game winning streak dating back to the 1995-96 season.
» All Milwaukee home games, and all Horizon League matchups will be available on ESPN+, with all remaining games this season available on the All New Black & Gold Network. Audio coverage will also be available on the Varsity Network app and searching 'Milwaukee' in the search bar, The Varsity Network app is available in both the Apple Store & Google Play.

LOOKING AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
The Huskies have been outshot by their opponents by a 283-208 margin in attempts this season, but NIU has converted on a higher percentage as it has outshot its opponents with 46.2 percent for and a 41.0 percent against. The same can be said from beyond the arc, where the Huskies have attempted 75 to their opponents' 95 attempts, however NIU has converted on 44.0 percent from three compared to just 28.4 percent against.

The stark difference in noticeable as NIU is ranked in the top-10 entering play on Saturday in three-point percentage, while the team is also 57th in the nation in overall field goal percentage. Laura Nickel leads the way making 60.0 percent of her attempts from the field while Brooke Blumenfeld has converted on 47.1 percent fom the floor. Sidney McCrea is just outside the top-100 in Division I in three-point percentage, making 9-of-21 (42.9 percent).

The Huskie roster also includes Brooke Stonebraker, who is the top rebounder for NIU with an average of 6.3 per game through the first four contests. McCrea leads NIU in assists with 12, while Alecia Doyle has a team-best four steals and is second on the team in scoring with 14.3 points per game.

Racine, Wisconsin native Chelby Koker has not played since the opener against Louisiana, while another Wisconsinite also returning to their home state is Nickel. From Marshall, Wisconsin, Nickel played and graduated with Milwaukee forward Anna Lutz. The duo won 96 of 108 games together in high school including a pair of WIAA State Championships in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

UP NEXT
Following Sunday's matchup with Northern Illinois, the Panthers will board a flight for San Juan, Puerto Rico. Milwaukee will square off against American University for the first time in program history on Nov. 27 before battling Air Force a day later on Nov. 27. Both games will tip at 5:30 p.m. (CT) from Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

DOUBLE-DIGIT GETTERS
Through six games this season, Milwaukee has had 16 instances of players scoring double digits in a game including Kacee Baumhower scoring double-digits in each of the first five games this season. Anna Lutz has reached double digits four times in 2023-24, while Kamy Peppler has accomplished it three times.

The Panthers have also had double-digit scoring efforts from Jorey Buwalda, Jada Donaldson, Izzy Pugh, and Payton Rechlicz in 2024-25.

100s FOR THREE
Earlier this season, Kamy Peppler recorded the 100th three-pointer of her career with her second three-point make of three against Carroll on Nov. 6. Kacee Baumhower also scored her 100th career three-point make against Kansas State on Nov. 20.

FREE THROW FRENZY
Against Valparaiso on Nov. 14, the Panthers took 37 trips to the free throw line and converted 29.

It was the first time that Milwaukee made 29 free throws in a game since Dec. 30, 2006, when they made 29 against UIC at the Klotsche Center. It was the first time the Panthers took 37 free throw attempts in a game since the team also had 37 against Columbia at home on Nov. 16, 2018.

NINETY IN NON-OVERTIME
On Nov. 14 against Valparaiso, Milwaukee put 90 points on the scoreboard, which was the first time that the team had scored 90 points against a Division I opponent since last season's overtime win against Wright State on Jan. 26 (93-87).

The last time the Panthers scored 90 points in a regulation game against a Division I opponent was on Feb. 23, 2018, in a 90-45 win at home against Detroit Mercy.

TEN FOR THREE
After accomplishing the deed of 10 three-point makes in a game just three times in 2023-24, the Panthers have already done so twice through the first five games in 2024-25. Milwaukee knocked down 10 three against Carroll on Nov. 6 and later connected on 11 in the Nov. 14 win over Valparaiso. The team has reached double-digit threes 64 times since Kyle Rechlicz has taken over as head coach.

TYING HIGHS
Off the bench against Valparaiso, Jorey Buwalda scored 17 points on five makes including a pair of three-point shots. She also had nine rebounds an assist and a pair of blocks. It was the first time that Buwalda had multiple three-point makes in a game, while her pair of blocks tied her career high set a season ago.

FRESHMEN POSTS TAKING THE LEAD
Through the team's first six games in 2023-24, Milwaukee has seen strong efforts put forth by their redshirt-freshman post players as Izzy Pugh and Payton Rechlicz have shot a combined 26-for-50 (52.0 percent) to begin their collegiate careers.

ALL-TIME IN ASSISTS
Kamy Peppler through the first five games of 2024-25 has a total of 285 assists, currently placing her eighth on the all-time list in Panther history. She is currently 22 behind seventh place, occupied by Daryl Schaffield with 307. The all-time mark in Panther history is held by Pam Bartnik, who finished her career with 469 assists from 1990-94.

VERSUS NUMBER 10
Milwaukee took on No. 10 Kansas State on Nov. 20 in Manhattan, Kansas, and fell to its host by a 111-46 score. It was the first time that the Panthers allowed 100 points since the 114-104 double overtime loss to Northern Illinois on Nov. 16, 2016, a span of 252 games.

Kansas State ended the game shooting exactly 60.0 percent from the field, which was the first time an opponent ended a game with at least 60.0 percent since the Panthers played at Green Bay on Jan. 13, 2007, the Phoenix ended the game at 30-for-50 (60.0 percent).

The loss was Milwaukee's first by 50 or more points in 844 games, when the team lost to Northern Illinois on March 2, 1996, as the Panthers fell by a 117-52 score to the Huskies to close the season that year.

The Panthers are now 1-39 against ranked opponents, including an 0-9 mark against teams that are ranked in the top-10 in either the Associate Press Poll or the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll.

250 GAMES FOR MENZL
Following his broadcast of the Nov. 14 matchup against Valparaiso, Matt Menzl has now broadcasted 250 Milwaukee Panther women's basketball games. He began his play-by-play duties with the team in 2016-17.

GREEN GETS THE CALL
Milwaukee Athletics announced its Bud K. Haidet Hall of Fame Class for 2024. The list included Milwaukee basketball's Ashley Green, who played for the Panthers from 2011-15.

She finished her career with 1,653 points, which is currently fifth on the all-time scoring list. She is also one of just five Panthers in program history to finish their career with 1,000+ points and 500+ rebounds, finishing with 781 in her 119 career games. Green finished her career with 17 double-doubles, the eighth most in program history.

IN OVERTIME
With the team's two overtime losses this season, Milwaukee is now 21-25 in all-time overtime games since joining the Division I level prior to the 1990-91 season. The Panthers have gone to overtime on three occasions in season openers, winning 84-77 over Parkside in 2019-20, and falling to Ball State by an 84-75 score to begin the 2021-22 campaign.

This season is the 13th time in program history that the Panthers have had multiple overtime games in one season, most recently during the 2020-21 season. The most overtime games played by Milwaukee in one season is three, which has happened six times, most recently in 2008-09.

PEPPLER'S RARE FEAT
Against Carroll, Kamy Peppler recorded the first double-double of her career. While double-doubles are common among points and rebounds, Peppler's came with points and assist, ending the game with 11 and 10, respectively.

It was the first time that a Panther had a points-assists double-double since Jaleesa Armstrong had 23 points and 10 assists at Detroit Mercy on Jan. 7, 2015. Peppler also becomes the sixth different player to record a points-assist double-double, accompanying Armstrong, Pam Bartnik, Jen Greger, Angela Rodriguez, and Kiki Wilson.

SPREADING THE LOVE
All 12 players to step on the court for Milwaukee scored in the home opener against Carroll, becoming the first time that it's happened since last season's home game against Cleveland State, when all nine scored against the Vikings on that day.

It's the first game that the Panthers had at least 10 players in a game score since the team's win over Viterbo in December of 2023, when 12 different players scored for MKE.

KACEE'S SEASON-OPENER
Making her Panther debut, Kacee Baumhower scored 26 points against St. Thomas, including 19 of those points after halftime. The 26 points were the most in a season opener for a Panther since Jamie Reit had 31 points at the Klotsche Center against Parkside to open the 2019-20 season. Baumhower's previous career high was 23, as a member of Wright State against Detroit Mercy on Jan. 13, 2023.

SEASON-OPENING PERFORMANCES
Four Panthers scored in double figures during the season opener on Nov. 4 at St. Thomas, including Kacee Baumhower (26), Anna Lutz (15), Kamy Peppler (14), and Payton Rechlicz (13). It was the first time that at least four Panthers reached at least 10 points each in a season opener since 2021, when Milwaukee had Megan Walstad (15), Sydney Staver (14), McKaela Schmelzer (12), and Macy McGlone (10) pick up big point totals in overtime at Ball State.

The three three-pointers for Peppler were most in a season opener since Angie Cera had four at home against Wisconsin on Nov. 7, 2022. While Lutz' double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds was the first in a season opener since Brandi Bisping had 17 points and 10 rebounds against Parkside on Nov. 6, 2019.

50 BOARDS
After coming within five rebounds on three occasions in 2023-24, including a season-best 49 against Wright State on Jan. 26, the team posted 50 rebounds in the 2024-25 season opener against St. Thomas. It was the first time Milwaukee had 50 rebounds in a game since the team had 56 in a neutral site matchup against Boise State on Nov. 27, 2022.

DONALDSON'S ATR
Jada Donaldson with a 2.50 assist/turnover ratio in 2023-24 finished 17th in Division I in assist/turnover ratio. So far this season, she has a has a 3.00 assist/turnover ratio, which is well above her career average of 2.11 assists to turnovers, with 207 assists and 98 turnovers in 108 career games.

Milwaukee is currently fourth in the Horizon League as a team and are 121st in all of NCAA in Division I through games played on Nov. 22 at 0.91.

FINDING WINS IN THE PAINT
In 2023-24, when Milwaukee scored more than 25 points in the paint the Panthers had a 12-6 record, while the team was 4-10 when scoring fewer than 25 points in the paint.

This year, the Panthers are 2-2 thus far on the season when scoring 25 or more points in the paint, narrowly reaching that plateau with 26 in the team's Nov. 14 win over Valparaiso. Milwaukee is 0-2 when scoring fewer than 25 points in the paint, with a season-low 18 against Kansas State on Nov. 20.

MAGIC NUMBER
In college basketball, there is no perfect recipe for a win but for Milwaukee, field goal percentage has been a pretty good baseline. Since 2016-17, Milwaukee is 110-39 (.738) when hitting at least 40 percent from the field. Bump that field goal percentage to 43 percent and the Panthers are 94-21 (.817).

When shooting under 40 percent, Milwaukee is 26-79 (.248).

KEEPING THE FOULS DOWN
Since the 2022-23 season, when Milwaukee has committed 11 fouls or fewer, the Panthers are 11-2. On the contrary, the Panthers are 8-21 when they have committed 18 or more fouls in a contest.

OFFENSIVE BOARDS TURNING INTO POINTS
Dating back to the 2022-23 season, the Panthers have pulled down double-digits in offensive rebounds in 27 of their last 55 games and scored 537 second-chance points. Last season, the Panthers had a season-best 20 offensive rebounds against Viterbo and eclipsed that mark with 21 in the team's Nov. 4 matchup to open the 2024-25 season at St. Thomas.

CLOSING IN ON 500
Milwaukee currently has with 489 wins at the Division I level, dating back to its inaugural DI season in 1990-91. MA Kelling led the team with 57 wins over the first five year, while Jenny Sell won four games in 1995-96. Sandy Botham had 245 wins, while current head coach Kyle Rechlicz has added 182 to the all-time total.

SCHEDULE SUMMARY
Milwaukee will have 11 non-conference games this season which includes the season opener against St. Thomas on Nov. 4. The team will have its home opener against the first of three first-time opponents with Carroll on Nov. 6.

The Panthers will play former Horizon foes Butler (Nov. 9) and Valparaiso (Nov. 14) at home before traveling to Wisconsin for their 28th all-time meeting against the Badgers. The toughest opponent on the slate will be Kansas State, ranked 13th in the WBCA Preseason Coaches Poll, on Nov. 20, before a home matchup against Northern Illinois on Nov. 24.

A pair in Puerto Rico will follow with first-time opponent American on Nov. 27, before the Panthers will take on Air Force a day later, looking to stay unblemished (2-0) against the Falcons. After a year hiatus, Milwaukee will visit Marquette on Dec. 15 at the Al McGuire Center, before wrapping up the out-of-league slate at Central Michigan on Dec. 22.

Horizon League play will begin at Youngstown State on Dec. 4, with the first home league game coming against Green Bay on Dec. 11. The annual 'School Day' game will come against Oakland on Jan. 16, while the team will celebrate 'Senior Day' against YSU on Feb. 8. The regular season comes to a close at home against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 27.

YEAR 13 FOR RECHLICZ
Milwaukee is led by Kyle Rechlicz, who enters year 13 as the head coach of the Panthers. The 2016 Horizon League Coach of the Year has coached 11 All-Horizon League selections during her time at the helm, while also coaching four All-Defensive Team honorees and five All-Freshman Team selections.

Rechlicz became the Horizon League's most veteran coach with the retirement of Green Bay's Kevin Borseth earlier this summer. Jeff Tungate of Oakland is second in the league, having started in 2013-14, while Cleveland State's Chris Kielsmeier began his tenure in 2018-19. There will be four new coaches in the Horizon League this season including Jeff Hans (Northern Kentucky), Melissa Jackson (Cleveland State), Kayla Karius (Green Bay), and Chandler McCabe (Robert Morris).

RETURNING HONOREE
Milwaukee returns one student-athlete that received postseason honors by the Horizon League in 2023-24 as sophomore Jorey Buwalda was named to the All-Freshman team as a rookie. Buwalda appeared in all 32 games for Milwaukee as a freshman, including seven starts, and was just shy of 600 minutes played.

Statistically, Buwalda averaged 7.7 points per game, while connecting on 48.2 percent from the floor, and had an impressive 82.6 percent from the free throw line. She also averaged 5.5 rebounds per game and was second on the team with 11 blocks a year ago, while also contributing to the defensive effort with 24 steals.

MISSED IT BY ONE
In 2023-24, Milwaukee finished the season with 516 assists, one shy of tying the Division I record set back in 2005-06, when that year's team finished with 517 assists. The team's all-time mark is 520 assists set during the 1988-89 campaign, when the team at the NAIA level.

The Panthers had a season-best 27 assists in the team's win over McNeese on Nov. 17, 2023, which was the most in a single game since the program had 31 in a double overtime game against Bradley in Dec. 2012. The last time Milwaukee had at least 27 assists in a regulation game came back in 2000, when the Panthers had 28 against Central Michigan in December of that year.

NINTH IN THE NATION
Milwaukee finished the 2023-24 season ninth in all of Division I in free throw percentage of the 349 programs at the NCAA's highest level. The Panthers finished the season 78.8 percent from the line, which includes returners Jada Donaldson (88.5), Anna Lutz (82.9), and Jorey Buwalda (82.6) all boosting the team average. The Panthers also brought in Kacee Baumhower, who led the Horizon League in free throw percentage in 2023-24 at 83.5 percent among those that qualified.

KEEPING IT CLASSY
Kamy Peppler set a pair of records for Panther sophomores as she tied Steph Kostowicz and Jenny Lindner for most starts as a sophomore with 31. She also set the sophomore record for assists with 153, which was second-most on the overall single-season record, trailing Angela Rodriguez, who had 168 in 2013-14.

Peppler also became the first player to record at least 100 assists in back-to-back seasons since Rodriguez had 168 in 2013-14, following her 114 assists in 2012-13.

Jorey Buwalda finished second on the freshman list with 32 games played, third with 176 rebounds, fourth with 5.5 rebounds per game, fifth in field goal percentage at .482, and third in free throw percentage connecting on 82.6 percent from the line.

BUWALDA BOARDS LED TO WINS
The Panthers finished the 2023-24 season with an 8-2 record in games when Jorey Buwalda was Milwaukee's leader in rebounding. She recorded double-digits in rebounds in four games this past season with the Panthers scoring wins in all four of those matchups.

CHECK THAT DIAL
This season, Milwaukee has made the move to one of the leading audio providers in all of college sports with their audio-only streams now available online directly through the team's home website MKEPanthers.com, as well as on The Varsity Network. Fans can download 'Varsity Network' in the App Store on iOS devices and Google Play and search "Milwaukee" to find the live audio stream of Panther games.