MILWAUKEE – After knocking off Wright State on Thursday evening, Milwaukee women's basketball looks to make it 2-0 in 2025 when the team hosts the Northern Kentucky Norse on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2:00 p.m. 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
Saturday, Jan. 4 – Northern Kentucky at Milwaukee | Klotsche Center | Milwaukee, Wis. | 2:00 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

QUICK NOTES
» Milwaukee looks to make it two wins in a row on Saturday, when the Panthers host the Northern Kentucky Norse at 2:00 p.m. at the Klotsche Center.
» The Panthers opened 2025 with a win over the Wright State Raiders on Thursday evening, knocking off their guest by a 75-50 score.
» Milwaukee was led by Kacee Baumhower, who tallied 18 points against her former team, while Kamy Peppler had her third double-double of the season with 11 points and a season-high 11 assists.
» Defensively the Panthers had a season-best effort, holding the Raiders to just 26.0 percent from the field as WSU had just five makes in the opening half on 35 attempts (14.3 percent), while Wright State scored just 17 points.
» The Panthers had a season-best 13 three-point makes including three each from Baumhower, Peppler, and Jorey Buwalda. With eight rebounds, Buwalda led the way for MKE on the glass.
» Milwaukee welcomes Northern Kentucky, who fell to the Green Bay Phoenix on Thursday evening by a 78-59 score. The Norse had a halftime lead at 42-34 but were only able to muster 17 points in the second half, being outscored 44-17.
» Three players reached double figures for NKU, led by Halle Idowu with 16, Mya Meredith with 13, and Macey Blevins with 12. Idowu led the Norse with 10 rebounds and three assists in the effort.
» Since joining the Horizon League prior to the 2015-16 season, Milwaukee and Northern Kentucky have met 19 times, including once in postseason play. NKU leads the all-time series 12-7, including wins in 11 of the last 14 meetings.
» Last season the two teams split with the road team winning each matchup, MKE won in Highland Heights, 75-67, while the Norse picked up a win in Milwaukee by one, 67-66.

LOOKING AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Under new leadership this season, the Norse brought in Jeff Hans to lead the program and enters Saturday's game with an impressive .864 winning percentage and including 10 seasons of at least 25 wins. He helped guide Thomas More to three NCAA Division III National Championships, including an unblemished 32-0 mark in the program's last season in Division III before transitioning to NAIA and then Division II. Last season, the Saints went 18-11 in a challenging Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

The Norse have a new look on the floor as well as Halle Idowu (Northeastern), Jaci Jones (IU Indy), Mya Meredith (Western Kentucky), and Abby Wolterman (IU Indy) all shift to Highland Heights this season from the transfer portal. The team also has eight that have played this season that also saw time for NKU in 2023-24, while Anna Hamilton, and Kamora Morgan are both getting minutes as true freshman this year.

Northern Kentucky has been in the middle of the pack both offensively and defensively but have not been able to get the record to match that as the Norse are 3-12 overall and 0-4 in Horizon League games including their loss to Green Bay on Thursday. NKU averages 63.9 points per game (6th in HL) and allow 71.7 points per game (8th in HL), however on the defensive end the Norse allow their opponents to connect on 44.1 percent from the field with only IU Indy worse in the league.

The Norse have just two players ranked in the national rankings with Jones ranked 54th nationally in assist/turnover ratio at 2.19, while Idowu is 66th entering play on Friday at 51.9 percent from the field.

Three players average double figures for the Norse, led by Macey Blevins at 12.8 points per game. Idowu is close behind at 12.5 points per contest with Kamora Morgan scoring 10.4 per game. Meredith and Idowu lead the Norse on the glass, averaging just over five boards per game. Jones has 46 assists, Meredith has 21 steals, and Idowu has seven blocks to lead NKU.

UP NEXT
The Panthers head on the road to Indiana to take on Purdue Fort Wayne on Thursday, Jan. 9. Milwaukee has lost three of the last four games to the Mastodons, including a pair of losses in 2023-24. Milwaukee is 9-5 in 14 all-time meetings against PFW.

LOW, LOW, LOW
After holding Central Michigan to just 26.2 percent from the field, Milwaukee's defense topped that performance on Jan. 2 against Wright State as the Raiders finished the game shooting 26.0 percent (19-for-73). The mark was the lowest since the Panthers' historic performance against Detroit Mercy on Dec. 29, 2022, where the Titans finished with a .175 shooting percentage (7-for-40).

Wright State also shot 4-of-28 from three, which was also a season-best by the Panther defense as WSU finished at 14.4 percent. Last season, Milwaukee held Robert Morris (Jan. 11) and Cleveland State (Feb. 17) to identical 2-for-19 performances (10.5 percent).

PEPPLER'S DOUBLE DOUBLES
Against Carroll, American, and Wright State, Kamy Peppler recorded the first three 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, 14 points/10 assists vs. American, 11 points/11 assists vs. Wright State.

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. With her 11-assist effort against Wright State on Jan. 2, she becomes just the second different player to have a points/assists double-double with more than 10 assists, Pam Bartnik had a 14-point/13-assist double-double in the 1992-93 season, and a 12-point/14-assist double-double on in 1993-94.

Peppler is now tied for second in single-season points/assists double-doubles with Angela Rodriguez, who had three during the 2013-14 season. The record is currently four held by Bartnik during the 1993-94 campaign.

ALL-TIME IN ASSISTS
Kamy Peppler has a total of 339 assists, currently placing her sixth on the all-time list in Panther history. She is currently three behind fifth place, occupied by Teri Stoltenberg with 341. The all-time mark in Panther history is held by Pam Bartnik, who finished her career with 469 assists from 1990-94.

RECENT STRETCH FOR 24
Since Nov. 28, Jada Donaldson had been shooting at a high efficiency, scoring 27-of-49 from the field (55.1 percent) and 16-of-29 from three (55.2 percent).

Overall, this season, Donaldson has made 42-of-91 from the field (46.2 percent) and 23-of-48 from three (47.9 percent).

SNAPPING THE SKID
With the team's win over Wright State on Jan. 2, the Panthers snapped a losing streak of seven games, which had been its longest stretch of losses since an eight-game skid in 2010-11 between Dec. 4 and Jan. 6.

The last time Milwaukee had a losing streak of at least five games in a row in a single season came in 2021-22, 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.

TOPS IN THE HORIZON
Three Panthers are leading the way in the Horizon League in several statistical categories entering play this weekend. Kamy Peppler leads the HL in both assists (86) and assists per game (5.4), while Anna Lutz is second in the league lead in both blocks (20), and blocks per game (1.3).

Kacee Baumhower is among the league leaders in field goal attempts with 187, field goals made (71), free throws made (49), free throws attempted (61), and points scored (223).

TOUGHEST SCHEDULES
Through games played on Jan. 2 according to the NCAA, Milwaukee has played the fifth toughest among the Horizon League programs, with the Panther opponents posting a .529 winning percentage. The schedule ranks 206th in toughest schedules among all Division I programs.

Northern Kentucky has played the 101st toughest schedule in Division I. On the opposite end of the listing, Cleveland State has played the 4th weakest schedule in Division I, while Youngstown State has played the 29th weakest, and Robert Morris has played the 43rd weakest.

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 12 games connecting on just 29.3 percent (80-for-273). Milwaukee appears to be thawing from its drought, connecting on 24 three-point shots over its last two games (24-for-62) for a 38.7 percent mark against Cleveland State and Wright State.

The Panthers have had three halves this season with seven three-point makes including the second half against Robert Morris (Dec. 7), first half against Cleveland State (Dec. 29), and first half against Wright State (Jan. 2).

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).

BALANCING THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES
Overall, this season Milwaukee has been consistent in its shooting by making 40.4 percent (180-for-446) of its shots in the first half and 38.9 percent (165-for-424) in the second half. In overtime, the Panthers are 5-for-21 (23.8 percent).

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 five times in 2024-25. Milwaukee knocked down 10 three against Carroll on Nov. 6, 11 in the Nov. 14 win over Valparaiso, another 10 against Northern Illinois on Nov. 24, 11 at Cleveland State on Dec. 29, and a season-best 13 against Wright State on Jan. 2. The team has reached double-digit threes 68 times since Kyle Rechlicz has taken over as head coach.

DOUBLE-DIGIT GETTERS
This season, Milwaukee has had 35 instances of players scoring double digits in a game including Anna Lutz and Kacee Baumhower leading the team with 10 games of 10-plus points. Kamy Peppler has accomplished double digits in points seven times in 2024-25.

The Panthers have also had double-digit scoring efforts from Jada Donaldson and Jorey Buwalda three times, while Izzy Pugh and Payton Rechlicz have reached double digits once each this season.

DONALDSON'S ATR
Jada Donaldson with a 2.50 assist/turnover ratio in 2023-24 finished 17th in Division I in assist/turnover ratio. This season, she has a has a 1.25 assist/turnover ratio and has a career mark of 1.91 assists to turnovers, with 225 assists and 118 turnovers in 119 career games.

Milwaukee is currently fifth in the Horizon League as a team with a 0.83 assist/turnover ratio in 2024-25.

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 2-1 in games that Buwalda leads the team in rebounds, falling to Wisconsin and defeating both American and Wright State.

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.

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).

IN OVERTIME
With the team's three overtime losses this season, Milwaukee is now 21-26 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 now happened seven times including the 2024-25 season, the previous occurrence took place in 2008-09.

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.

NEW FACES
In the Dec. 22 game against Central Michigan the Panthers competed in its seventh consecutive game 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 before Cleveland State's Chris Kielsmeier on Dec. 29 was Lisa Carlsen, who is in her 10th season Northern Illinois on Nov. 24.

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.

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.

VERSUS NO. 10
Milwaukee took on No. 10 Kansas State on Nov. 20 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.

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.

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.

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 1-9 when scoring fewer than 25 points in the paint, with a season-low 11 against Green Bay on Dec. 11. The Panthers picked up the win over Wright State on Jan. 2 while scoring 24 points in the paint.

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 112-40 (.737) when hitting at least 40 percent from the field. Bump that field goal percentage to 43 percent and the Panthers are 96-21 (.821).

When shooting under 40 percent, Milwaukee is 26-86 (.232).

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 8-25 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 64 games and scored 602 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 491 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 183 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.

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.