MILWAUKEE – It will be Horizon League play the rest of the way for the Milwaukee women's basketball team, who head to Cleveland State to take on the Vikings on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. (CT) at the Wolstein Center.
 
Milwaukee's audio stream will also be available on the 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 and the link to video on ESPN+, provided by Cleveland State, can be found on MKEPanthers.com.
 
THE MATCHUP
Sunday, Dec. 29 – Milwaukee at Cleveland State | Wolstein Center | Cleveland, Ohio | 11:00 am (CT)
 
QUICK LINKS
Listen on Black & Gold Network: mkepanthers.com/coverage
Listen on Varsity Network: App Store & Google Play
Live Stats: mkepanthers.com/coverage
Watch on ESPN+: mkepanthers.com/coverage
Tickets: Cleveland State Ticket Page
Follow Along (On X): @MKE_WBB
 
QUICK NOTES
» Milwaukee returns to Horizon League play for the rest of the season after wrapping up non-league play on Sunday at Central Michigan. The Panthers visit the Cleveland State Vikings for an 11:00 a.m. (CT) start at the Wolstein Center.
» MKE enters off a 54-50 loss to Central Michigan, the Panthers' first loss to CMU since the 1999-2000 season, with four victories in between.
» In the loss, the Panthers were led by Kamy Peppler with a season-best 19 points as she connected on a season-high eight field goals including a pair from three. Kacee Baumhower had seven points and led the team with six rebounds.
» Milwaukee shot a season-low 29.7 percent from the field in the loss but defensively held the Chippewas to a 26.2 percent from the floor, a season-best for the Panther defense.
» Cleveland State has been one of the hottest teams in the nation as winners of their last nine games, a streak that is tied for ninth longest in Division I basketball. The Vikings boast an 11-2 overall record with a 3-0 record in Horizon League games and a 5-0 mark in true home games.
» CSU won both of its games at the Puerto Rico Clasico against Morgan State and Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. Jordana Reisma led the Vikings with 15.5 points per game while Mickayla Perdue averaged 11 points per game during the team's trip. Reisma also led Cleveland State with 6.5 rebounds per game and a pair of blocks.
» Cleveland State has won its last seven against Milwaukee, including both games a season ago by an average of nine points per win. The Vikings have closed the all-time series down to five as Milwaukee still holds a 36-31 series lead as Division I opponents.

LOOKING AT CLEVELAND STATE
Cleveland State welcomes Milwaukee on Sunday riding a nine-game winning streak, which includes a trio of Horizon League wins over Northern Kentucky, IU Indy, and Wright State. The Vikings will welcome the Panthers to the Wolstein Center and look to improve upon their 5-0 home mark.

It's not just the league-leading record for Cleveland State, the Vikings back it up as a top-10 field goal percentage in the nation at 49.4 percent to lead the league. CSU is top-two in most categories in the Horizon League and are currently first in assists per game (17.2), blocks per game (4.1), team defense (33.8 percent), rebounding margin (+8.5), and scoring margin (+19.2).

Cleveland State is comprised of an experienced starting five, spearheaded by the league's leading scorer in Mickayla Perdue at 20.4 points per game, while Jordana Reisma is fifth in the league at 14.9 point per contest. The duo are also among the league leaders in field goal percentage, while Destiny Leo has been consistent from beyond the arc, knocking down 41.5 percent from three.

Sara Guerreiro is second to Milwaukee's Kamy Peppler in assists per game at 4.5, while she leads the league in assist/turnover ratio at 2.6. The fifth Viking starter was Colbi Maples, who played in the team's first three games, she has been replaced in the starting lineup by Macey Fegan after playing just 44 minutes over her first four games. Fegan is averaging 5.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Three other Vikings have played in all 13 games including Milwaukee-native Mya Moore, as well as Kali Howard, and Grace Ellis.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will be at home for just the sixth time this season on Jan. 2 to host the Wright State Raiders at 6:00 p.m. at the Klotsche Center. The home game will put an end to a stretch of games that saw Milwaukee play nine of 11 games away from 'The K'.

FREQUENT FLIER MILES
Since Milwaukee played three consecutive games at home from Nov. 6 through Nov. 14, the Panthers have played nine of its next 11 games away from home. In total the team will travel 9,123 miles beginning with the team's trip to Madison to take on Wisconsin on Nov. 17 and wrapping up with the team's trip to the Wolstein Center in Cleveland against Cleveland State on Dec. 29.

By comparison, the Panthers will travel an estimated approximately 2,978 miles the rest of the season, which includes trips to Purdue Fort Wayne, Northern Kentucky, Wright State, IU Indy, Detroit Mercy, Oakland, and Green Bay.

STRONG 'D' EFFORTS DON'T ALWAYS LEAD TO 'W'S
For just the second time since the 2008-09 season, Milwaukee lost a game in which it held an opponent under 30 percent from the field. On Dec. 22 against Central Michigan, the Chippewas connected on 26.2 percent (16-of-61) from the field and won 54-50.

The last time that a Panther team lost when holding a team under 30 percent from the field was against Northwestern, 55-46, the Wildcats shot 26.2 percent (16-of-61). The previous occurrence took place in 2008-09, when Cleveland State won 53-45, when shooting 29.3 percent (17-of-58).

SNAP THE SKID
Milwaukee looks to snap a six-game losing streak on Sunday against Cleveland State. It's the first time Milwaukee has had a losing streak of at least five games since the 2020-21 season, when the team lost five in a row between Jan. 29 and Feb. 12. Milwaukee finished the 2020-21 campaign with a 20-8 record and reached the second round of the WNIT after reaching the Horizon League semifinals.

The current six-game skid is the first since the 2012-13 season, falling in games between Jan. 24 and Feb. 14 of that season. The last Panther losing streak of seven consecutive games came during an eight-game skid in 2010-11, with Milwaukee falling in games between Dec. 4 and Jan. 6 of that season.

ALL-TIME IN ASSISTS
Kamy Peppler has a total of 321 assists, currently placing her seventh on the all-time list in Panther history. She is currently one behind sixth place, occupied by Jodie McClain with 322. The all-time mark in Panther history is held by Pam Bartnik, who finished her career with 469 assists from 1990-94.

FIVE-GAME STRETCH FOR 24
Over the Milwaukee five-game stretch from Nov. 28 to Dec. 15, Jada Donaldson had been shooting at a high efficiency, scoring 16-of-28 from the field (57.1 percent) and 9-of-14 from three (64.3 percent).

Game-by-Game
Nov. 28 vs. Air Force – FG: 4-7 (57.1); 3PT: 1-3 (.333)
Dec. 4 at Youngstown State – FG: 2-3 (66.7); 3PT: 2-3 (.667)
Dec. 7 at Robert Morris – FG: 5-9 (55.6); 3PT: 4-6 (.667)
Dec. 11 vs. Green Bay – FG: 3-4 (75.0); 3PT: 1-1 (1.000)
Dec. 15 at Marquette – FG: 2-5 (40.0); 3PT: 1-1 (1.000)

Overall, this season, Donaldson has made 32-of-75 from the field (42.7 percent) and 16-of-36 from three (44.4 percent).

NEW FACES
This past Sunday's game was the seventh consecutive game that Milwaukee competed against a program that has less than three seasons experience at their respective institutions. The Panthers played against Stacy McIntyre of Air Force, Melissa Jackson of Youngstown State, Chandler McCabe at Robert Morris, Kayla Karius at Green Bay, and Cara Consuegra at Marquette. Tiffany Coll of American is in her third season, while Kristin Haynie of Central Michigan is in her second season at the helm of the Chippewas.

The last time Milwaukee played against a coach with at least three full seasons of head coaching experience came against Lisa Carlsen, who is in her 10th season Northern Illinois on Nov. 24.

TOUGHEST SCHEDULES
Per the NCAA, Milwaukee has played the fourth toughest among the Horizon League programs through Dec. 26, with the Panther opponents posting a .577 winning percentage. The schedule ranks 139th in toughest schedules among all Division I programs.

Northern Kentucky has played the 69th toughest schedule in Division I, while Oakland has played the 91st, and Detroit Mercy has played the 113th toughest. On the opposite end of the listing, Cleveland State has played the 13th weakest schedule in Division I, while Robert Morris has played the 30th weakest.

PUGH IN HER STARTING DEBUT
Izzy Pugh made her first career start on Dec. 11 vs. Green Bay and after some early foul trouble put together career-best performance with seven rebounds on the night and had a monster fourth quarter with all four of her blocks against the Phoenix coming in the final 10 minutes.

The four blocks in one game were one shy of tying the freshman record for blocks in a game, set back during the 2005-06 season. Katie Fournier had five in a 67-44 win over Youngstown State on Feb. 18 of that season.

PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Kacee Baumhower has been putting up large point totals for the Panthers with 20+ point performances in five contests this season.

The last player to have at least five 20+ point scoring performances in a season was Kendall Nead in 2023-24, finishing the season with six. Kamy Peppler also had five 20+ point games, while Anna Lutz had four for the Panthers a year ago.

The last time a Panther had at least seven games of 20+ points in a game came back in 2016-17, when Milwaukee had both Jenny Lindner (eight times), and Steph Kostowicz (seven times) both reached 20+ points in a game seven-plus times that season.

TOPS IN THE HORIZON
Three Panthers are leading the way in the Horizon League in several statistical categories entering play this week. Kamy Peppler leads the HL in both assists (68) and assists per game (4.9), while Anna Lutz holds the league lead in blocks (18), and is second in blocks per game (1.3).

Kacee Baumhower is among the league leaders in field goal attempts with 172, field goals made (67), free throws made (42), free throws attempted (53), and points scored (205).

BALANCING THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES
Overall, this season Milwaukee has been consistent in its shooting by making 38.8 percent (151-for-389) of its shots in the first half and 39.2 percent (144-for-367) in the second half. In overtime, the Panthers are 4-for-14 (28.6 percent).

DROUGHT FROM DISTANCE
After starting the season shooting 37.0 (30-for-81) percent from three over the first four games, the Panthers have struggled from distance the last nine games connecting on just 26.5 percent (56-for-211).

The Panthers had seven three-point makes in the second half against Robert Morris on Dec. 7. The seven three-point makes were the most in a half for Milwaukee this season, eclipsing the six in the second half against Carroll (Nov. 6), and first half against Valparaiso (Nov. 14).

Milwaukee has been kept off the scoresheet from distance in two halves this season, the second half against Air Force (Nov. 28), and the second half against Youngstown State (Dec. 4).

DOUBLE-DIGIT GETTERS
This season, Milwaukee has had 29 instances of players scoring double digits in a game including Kacee Baumhower scoring double-digits in nine of the first 12 games this season. Anna Lutz has reached double digits nine times in 2024-25, while Kamy Peppler has accomplished it six times.

The Panthers have also had double-digit scoring efforts from Jada Donaldson twice, Jorey Buwalda, Izzy Pugh, and Payton Rechlicz this season.

PEPPLER'S DOUBLE DOUBLES
Against Carroll and American, Kamy Peppler recorded the first two double-doubles of her career. While double-doubles are common among points and rebounds, Peppler's came with points and assists; 11 points/10 assists vs. Carroll and 14 points/10 assists vs. American.

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.

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 three times through the first 13 games in 2024-25. Milwaukee knocked down 10 three against Carroll on Nov. 6, 11 in the Nov. 14 win over Valparaiso, and another 10 against Northern Illinois on Nov. 24. The team has reached double-digit threes 65 times since Kyle Rechlicz has taken over as head coach.

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.

TYING HIGHS
Off the bench against Valparaiso on Nov. 14, 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.

VERSUS NO. 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.

K-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 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.

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.

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.

This year Milwaukee is 1-1 in games that Buwalda leads the team in rebounds, falling to Wisconsin and defeating American.

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.

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. Early this season, she has a has a 1.24 assist/turnover ratio and has a career average of 1.92 assists to turnovers, with 221 assists and 115 turnovers in 117 career games.

Milwaukee is currently fifth in the Horizon League as a team with a 0.75 assist/turnover ratio in 2024-25.

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 4-11 when scoring fewer than 25 points in the paint.

This year, the Panthers are 3-3 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 0-8 when scoring fewer than 25 points in the paint, with a season-low 11 against Green Bay on Dec. 11.

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 111-40 (.735) when hitting at least 40 percent from the field. Bump that field goal percentage to 43 percent and the Panthers are 95-21 (.819).

When shooting under 40 percent, Milwaukee is 26-85 (.234).

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 8-24 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 30 of their last 62 games and scored 592 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 490 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.

YEAR 13 FOR RECHLICZ
Milwaukee is led by Kyle Rechlicz, who enters year 13 as the head coach of the Panthers and is the Horizon League's most veteran coach with the retirement of Green Bay's Kevin Borseth earlier this summer. Cleveland State's Chris Kielsmeier is second in the league beginning his tenure in 2018-19 (7th season in 2024-25).

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. 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 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, with 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.

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.