MILWAUKEE – After picking up their first win of the season at home on Wednesday, Milwaukee looks to make it two in a row as it welcomes the Butler Bulldogs to the Klotsche Center for a 1:00 p.m. start on Saturday afternoon. The game will be available on the ESPN+, with live stats also available at the links found on MKEPanthers.com. 

THE MATCHUP
Saturday, Nov. 9 – Butler at Milwaukee | Klotsche Center | Milwaukee, Wis. | 1:00 pm
 
QUICK LINKS
Watch on ESPN+: mkepanthers.com/coverage
Live Stats: mkepanthers.com/coverage
Follow Along (On X): @MKE_WBB
 
QUICK NOTES
» Milwaukee enters off its first win of the season, knocking of the Carroll Pioneers by a 74-49 score on Wednesday evening. All 12 Panthers to dress scored for Milwaukee, including a team-best 14 points from both Kacee Baumhower and Izzy Pugh.
» During the win, Kamy Peppler recorded the first double-double of her career with 11 points and 10 assists, becoming just the sixth different player in program history to record a double-double with points and assists.
» The win on Nov. 6 tied the program record for win on the earliest calendar date in a season, matching the Nov. 6 win to open the 2019-20 season, when the Panthers knocked off Parkside, 84-77 in overtime.
» It's the return of a familiar foe as Milwaukee will renew acquaintances with Butler, who left the Horizon League following the 2011-12 season for the Atlantic 10. The Panthers are 20-18 in 38 Division I meetings with the Bulldogs, including a 12-7 record in games at the Klotsche Center. Saturday's meeting will be the first since the 2011-12 season, a 54-52 Milwaukee win.
» Butler is 1-0 on the young season, knocking off Chicago State at Hinkle Fieldhouse by an 87-45 score on Wednesday. All 11 Bulldogs to appear in the game played at least eight minutes and scored, led by Kilyn McGuff, who led Butler with 17 points in a team-best 26 minutes. She alongside Cristen Carter had double-doubles in the win.
» All Milwaukee home games, and all Horizon League matchups will be available on ESPN+, with 30 of 31 games this season available on the All New Black & Gold Network, with Saturday's Butler matchup being the only exclusion. 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 BUTLER
Austin Parkinson enters the third season of his Butler tenure in 2024-25 after a successful 12 seasons at IU Indy (then known as IUPUI), that saw him win 224 games with the Jaguars, guiding the team in its transition from the Summit League into the Horizon League.

Parkinson has begun to right the ship after the team won a combined four games the previous two seasons, albeit two seasons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. After 11 wins in his first season, the Bulldogs won 15 a year ago, which included wins over Detroit Mercy, St. Thomas, and Wisconsin, all teams that were on the Panther schedule in 2023-24.

Butler was projected to finish eighth in the 11-team BIG EAST, with perennial powers UConn and Creighton taking the top two spots. The Bulldogs received 46 points and were within five points of Seton Hall. Graduate student Caroline Strande was named to the BIG EAST Preseason team and enters her third season with Butler after transferring from Minnesota. Last season Strande was a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection.

Strande will be making a Wisconsin homecoming after attending Racine Lutheran High School about 45 minutes south of campus. Jordan Meulemans of De Pere also hails from Wisconsin but did not appear in the season opener.

Kilyn McGuff had 17 points and 10 rebounds against Chicago State, while Cristen Carter added 15 and 10. Strande along with Riley Makalusky, and Karsyn Norman formed the starting five for the Bulldogs against Chicago State.

COACHING CONNECTIONS
Milwaukee-native Latrell Fleming is a member of the Butler coaching staff and returns to his hometown this Saturday. He got his postgraduate coaching start with the Panthers in 2012-13 under head coach Kyle Rechlicz as the team's video coordinator before moving on to Northern Illinois for two seasons.

UP NEXT
Milwaukee will wrap-up its three-game homestand next Thursday, when the team welcomes yet another former Horizon League opponent as the Valparaiso Beacons head to the Klotsche Center for a 6:00 p.m. start on Nov. 14. Coverage of the game will be available on both ESPN+ and the Black & Gold Network.

PEPPLER'S RARE FEAT
In the team's Nov. 6 win over 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.

Bartnik accomplished the feat five times, while Rodriguez did it four times. Armstrong, Greger, Wilson, and Peppler have done it once.

FRESHMEN POSTS TAKING THE LEAD
Through the team's first two games, Milwaukee has seen strong efforts put forth by their redshirt-freshman post players. Izzy Pugh had 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting against Carroll, while Payton Rechlicz scored 13 points on 6-of-7 from the field in the season opener at St. Thomas.

The duo has shot a combined 13-for-20 (65 percent), and when coupled with fellow posts Anna Lutz and Jada Williams, have combined to start the season 28-for-50 to start the year, a 56 percent clip.

TEN FOR THREE
Milwaukee knocked down 10 three-pointers in its home opener against Carroll on Nov. 6, something the team accomplished three times in 2023-24. It's also the 63rd time a Panther team has knocked down at least 10 three-pointers under the watch of Kyle Rechlicz.

It was the first time the Panther connected on exactly 10 three-pointers since March 2, 2021, at home against Youngstown State.

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 Milwaukee 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.

IN OVERTIME
With the team's overtime loss to St. Thomas in the season opener on Nov. 4, Milwaukee is now 21-24 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.

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).

THE COACHING STAFF
Returning for year seven with the Panthers will be Associate Head Coach Stacy Cantley, who was promoted to that role in June 2021 after three seasons as an assistant coach.

Four new faces join the Milwaukee staff including Cassie Lastivka (previously an assistant coach at Ohio Northern), Fletcher Brown (previously the head coach at Chandler Gilbert CC in Arizona), Malika Glover (formerly an assistant coach at Youngstown State), and Anthony Houston (most recently on the men's basketball staff at Bryant & Stratton College).

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.

SHE LIT IT UP, BURNED IT DOWN, AND EARNED PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Last season, the Panthers closed the regular season with an upset of the then-top-seeded Green Bay by a 65-61 score at the Kress Center on March 2, led by a career-best 25 points from Kamy Peppler.

The loss prevented Green Bay from clinching a regular season title and was the first time that Green Bay lost their last home game of the regular season since the 1997-98 season, when Milwaukee knocked off the Phoenix 58-41 on Feb. 21 of that season.

Following her 25-point effort, Peppler was named Horizon League Player of the Week for the first time in her career, following a pair of Freshman of the Week Awards and a spot on the Horizon League All-Freshman Team in 2022-23.

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.

DONALDSON'S ATR
Last season, Jada Donaldson finished the season with a 2.50 assist/turnover ratio, which was second in the Horizon League and tied for 17th in all of Division I with Paige Bueckers of UConn. That number was well above her career average of 2.16 assists to turnovers, with 203 assists and 94 turnovers in 104 career games.

Milwaukee as a team ended the year with a 0.97 assist/turnover ratio (516 assists/533 turnovers), which was third-best in the Horizon League and 94th in the nation. Green Bay led the nation with a 1.74 assist/turnover ratio.

KEEP 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.

TOPS IN MINUTES
Last season, Milwaukee had four players finish the season in the top-25 in minutes played, including Jada Donaldson (32.9) and Kamy Peppler (32.4), who finished fifth and seventh respectively. Despite graduating both Kendall Nead (13th, 31.0) and Angie Cera (24th, 28.9), the Panthers added another top minutes-getter in the Horizon League last season as Kacee Baumhower finished sixth in the league at 32.5 per game.

FINDING WINS IN THE PAINT
Last season, 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 scored 44 points in their season-opening loss to St. Thomas on Nov. 4., then answered back with 36 points in the paint in the Nov. 6 win over Carroll.

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 109-38 (.741) when hitting at least 40 percent from the field. Bump that field goal percentage to 43 percent and the Panthers are 93-20 (.823).

When shooting under 40 percent, Milwaukee is 26-77 (.252).

KEEPING THE FOULS DOWN
Since the 2022-23 season, when Milwaukee has committed 11 fouls or fewer, the Panthers are 11-1. On the contrary, the Panthers are 7-20 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 52 games and scored 509 second-chance points. Last season, the Panthers had a season-best 20 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 488 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.

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.