MILWAUKEE – Women's basketball is back on the road as Milwaukee heads to Indianapolis to take on the Butler Bulldogs at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers are looking to bounce back against the Bulldogs after an overtime loss at home a season ago.

Sunday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with live stats of the game also available. Links to the broadcast and live stats can be found on MKEPanthers.com. 
 
THE MATCHUP & GAME LINKS
Sunday, Nov. 23 | Milwaukee at Butler | Hinkle Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, Ind. | 1:00 p.m. (CT) | ESPN+ / Live Stats | Follow Along (on X)
 
QUICK NOTES
» After a home loss to Marquette on Wednesday evening, Milwaukee heads back on the road for the first of two three-game road trips this season, the longest of any this season.
» For the second consecutive game the Panthers will be taking on an opponent from the Big East Conference, as Milwaukee will visit Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to take on former Horizon League foe Butler.
» Milwaukee looks to bounce back after a poor shooting performance against Marquette, shooting below 30.0 percent for the second time this season. The last time Milwaukee shot below that mark, the Panthers bounced back for an overtime win against Valparaiso on a Sunday in Indiana.
» Butler is off to a 2-3 start and looks to make it a third win against at Horizon League team with the Panthers coming to town. Earlier this year, the Bulldogs knocked off Wright State (74-53) and Northern Kentucky (73-56), while suffering setbacks against Columbia (74-69), Central Michigan (68-59), and most recently to Indiana, 72-53, on Wednesday.
» While Butler isn't a stranger to the Horizon League (1979-2012), neither is head coach Austin Parkinson, who was previously the head coach at IU Indy (then-IUPUI) during the team's transition from the Summit League to the Horizon League before taking the position at Butler after five seasons in the Horizon.
» In 39 meetings at the Division I level, Milwaukee and Butler have had an even all-time series with the Panthers winning 20 of 39 matchups. Milwaukee is 8-11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse and are 2-1 when facing Butler in non-conference action, the one loss coming a season ago.
» Milwaukee is on a three-game losing streak when facing Butler on its home court, the last Panther win came on March 11, 2009, a 53-52 victory.

QUICK LOOK AT BUTLER
Butler was selected ninth in the 11-team Big East Preseason Poll earning 30 points and trailing eight-place DePaul by just two points. The Bulldogs this season are ranked in the top 100 in field goal percentage through the first few weeks of the season, which is third-best in the Big East entering play this weekend.

Thus far on the season, the Bulldogs have been in games decided by an average of 14.2 points per game, including wins over Wright State (74-53) and Northern Kentucky (73-56). Butler started the season with four-straight home games before their first road game on Wednesday, a 72-53 loss to Indiana.

The young Butler squad does not feature an upperclassman that began their career in Indianapolis, the team has four players listed as seniors or juniors, all of whom were transfers: Lilly Stoddard (Purdue), Kennedy Langham (Samford), Nevaeh Jackson (Valparaiso), and Caroline Dotsey (Maine). Redshirt sophomores Saniya Jackson (Valparaiso), and Mallory Miller (Arizona State) are also transfers along with true sophomores McKenna Johnson (Minnesota), and Gabby Wilke (South Dakota). Only sophomore Lily Zeinstra, redshirt-freshman Mckenzie Swanson, and freshman Anna Wypych and Addison Baxter began their careers in a Butler uniform.

BUTLER – PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lily Zeinstra – 5 Games / 5 Starts, 32.4 Minutes/Game, 13.4 Points/Game, 2.8 Rebounds/Game, 14 Assists, 4 Steals.
Nevaeh Jackson – 5 Games, 24.4 Minutes/Game, 10.2 Points/Game, 3.4 Rebounds/Game, 8 Steals, 2 Blocks.
Saniya Jackson – 5 Games / 5 Starts, 30.8 Minutes/Game, 9.4 Points/Game, 3.8 Rebounds/Game, 6 Assists, 11 Steals.

LAST MEETING
Last year's meeting against Butler at the Klotsche Center needed to go beyond the allotted 40 minutes, as the Bulldogs won in overtime 79-70. Both teams shot well from the field as Butler finished the game connecting on 50.9 percent from the floor, while Milwaukee scored on 45.5 percent of its attempts. The game was tied at 66 through regulation before the Bulldogs outscored the Panthers 13-8 in the extra session for the win.

Lily Carmody scored 20 points for the Bulldogs off the bench to lead the way while Carolina Strande (17) and Kilyn McGuff (10) were also in double figures. Among this year's Butler returners, Lilly Stoddard scored four points in seven minutes, and Lily Zeinstra scored a bucket in nine minutes in last year's matchup.

For Milwaukee Kacee Baumhower connected on nine from the field, including four from deep, for a team-best 24 points, while Anna Lutz tallied 17 and Kamy Peppler scored 10. Jorey Buwalda led all of Milwaukee's returners with sx points in the loss, while Payton Rechlicz added four and Izzy Pugh scored two.

UP NEXT
The road trip continues for Milwaukee as the Panthers will take part in the Tiger Turkey Tip-off hosted by Pacific in Stockton, Calif. The Panthers will play host Pacific on Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m. (CT) before taking on UC Davis on Nov. 29 at 3:00 p.m. The Tip-off will be followed by the Horizon League opener on Dec. 5 at home against Youngstown State.

ON THIS DATE
Milwaukee is 1-3 on games played on Nov. 23 entering Sunday's matchup at Butler. The Panthers are also 0-1 against Big East teams having lost to DePaul (89-67) in 2004-05. Milwaukee has a loss to Central Michigan (73-56) in 1991-92, a win over North Dakota State (76-64) in 2013-14, and lost its most recent game on Nov. 23, falling by two to St. Mary's (73-71) in the 2018-19 season.

FOUR STEALS, ONE GAME
In Milwaukee's loss to Marquette on Nov. 19, Sophia Rampulla had four steals against the Golden Eagles. Milwaukee has not had a player record more than four steals in a single game since Feb. 19, 2021, when Miquela Santoro had six against the UIC Flames.

SUNDAY'S OVERTIME WIN VS. VALPARAISO
Tied at 60 through regulation, Milwaukee and Valparaiso went to overtime for the third time in series history. Milwaukee won at Valparaiso in 1993-94, the then-Crusaders earned a win at the Klotsche Center in 1999-2000, and the Panthers prevailed again on Nov. 17.

The 12 points in the extra session marked the most for Milwaukee since the 2024-25 season opener on Nov. 4, 2024, at St. Thomas, when the Panthers scored 14. Grace Lomen had 10 of Milwaukee's 12 overtime points and became the first Panther to score double-digit points in an overtime period since Dec. 4, 2012, when Angela Rodriguez scored 11 in the first OT of a double-overtime win over Bradley (116-112).

COMEBACK WIN
On Nov. 17, Milwaukee trailed Valparaiso 31-29 at halftime and came back to win 72-67. It was the team's first comeback win of the season, matching last year's total and extending a streak of at least one comeback win in a season dating back to 1995-96. The program record for comeback wins in a season is seven, achieved in both 2016-17 and 2019-20.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES FOR BUWALDA
Jorey Buwalda entered her junior season with two career double-doubles and has added two more in 2025-26, recording them against Loyola Chicago and Valparaiso. Her 17 rebounds at Valpo marked a new career high.

Buwalda Career Double-Doubles
• Nov. 18, 2023 vs. Mississippi Valley State – 20 Pts, 12 Reb
• Jan. 7, 2024 at Northern Kentucky – 18 Pts, 12 Reb
• Nov. 3, 2025 vs. Loyola Chicago – 18 Pts, 14 Reb
• Nov. 16, 2025 at Valparaiso – 15 Pts, 17 Reb

IN OVERTIME
Last season, Milwaukee set a program record by appearing in four overtime games and now holds a 22-27 record in games extending beyond regulation since joining Division I in 1990-91. The Panthers have played three overtime season openers—defeating Parkside in 2019-20 and falling to Ball State (2021-22) and St. Thomas (2024-25). Milwaukee is 1-0 in overtime in 2025-26.

FIRST YEAR HEAD COACHES
Milwaukee has already faced four first-year head coaches during its first five games: Jacey Brooks at Northern Illinois (Nov. 7), Robin Pingeton at Wisconsin (Nov. 10), Kate Achter at Western Michigan (Nov. 13), and Courtney Boyd at Valparaiso (Nov. 16).

There are also two new head coaches in the Horizon League—Kiefer Haffey replacing Achter at Detroit Mercy, and Keisha Newell taking over at Oakland.

ONE-POINT GAMES
With its loss to Western Michigan on Nov. 13, Milwaukee fell to 21-19 all-time in one-point games, including a 12-9 record at home. The Panthers' last one-point win came on Nov. 26, 2022, against Boise State in overtime (55-54). Their last one-point win in regulation—and last at home—was on Jan. 13, 2018, against Youngstown State (62-61).

WHO'S LEADING TODAY?
For the first time since 2022-23, Milwaukee was led by three different scorers across its first three games. Buwalda scored 18 vs. Loyola Chicago, Kendall Barnes had 17 at Northern Illinois, and Jada Williams scored eight vs. Wisconsin.

In 2022-23, the Panthers were led by Angie Cera vs. Wisconsin, Megan Walstad vs. Loyola Chicago, and Emma Wittmershaus at Marquette. The last time the Panthers opened a season with four different leading scorers was in 2020-21 (Miquela Santoro vs. Ball State, Brandi Bisping at Bradley, McKaela Schmelzer at Marquette, Sydney Staver at Bowling Green).

FRESHMAN SUCCESS AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
In Milwaukee's win at NIU, the Panthers were led by freshmen Kendall Barnes (17 points) and Madison Fitzgibbon (15 points).

The last time two Milwaukee freshmen scored at least 15 points in the same game was Jan. 2, 2011, vs. Detroit Mercy (Angela Rodriguez 15, Courtney Lindfors 15).

The last time two players reached double figures in the same game was Dec. 29, 2022, also against Detroit Mercy (Anna Lutz 11, Kamy Peppler 10).

EFFICIENT EFFORT AGAINST THE HUSKIES
Milwaukee shot 48.9 percent from the field (22-45) and 52.9 percent from three (9-17) on Nov. 7 at Northern Illinois.

It was the team's best shooting performance since Feb. 8, 2024, at then-IUPUI, when the Panthers shot 51.5 percent overall (24-47) and 51.1 percent from three (8-14).

TRUE FRESHMAN STARTER IN SEASON OPENER
Against Loyola Chicago, Madison Fitzgibbon became just the 18th true freshman to start a season opener for Milwaukee since joining Division I in 1990-91, and the first since 2022-23.

THAT'S AN ODD NUMBER
It's actually an even number, but Rita Gomes—who wears No. 16—became the first player in Milwaukee program history to wear a digit outside the traditional 0–5 range. The NCAA lifted restrictions on numbers 6–9 prior to the 2023-24 season.

THE NON-CON SLATE
Milwaukee plays 11 non-conference games this season in preparation for Horizon League play. The Panthers face four former conference opponents—Loyola Chicago (Nov. 3), Northern Illinois (Nov. 7), Valparaiso (Nov. 16), and Butler (Nov. 23).

The schedule also includes in-state matchups at Wisconsin (Nov. 10) and home vs. Marquette (Nov. 19). Milwaukee meets Western Michigan for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

The Panthers will face four first-time opponents including the first two at the Tiger Turkey Tip-Off hosted by Pacific, taking on Pacific and UC Davis (Nov. 28-29). Milwaukee will also host Division III opponents Ripon (Dec. 14) and Wisconsin Lutheran (Dec. 20).

CLOSING IN ON 500
Milwaukee currently has 497 wins at the Division I level, dating back to its inaugural 1990-91 season. MA Kelling led the program with 57 wins over the first five years, Jenny Sell recorded four wins in 1995-96, Sandy Botham totaled 245 wins, and current head coach Kyle Rechlicz has added 191.

PANTHERS FOR THREE
In January 2025, Iowa State's NCAA Division I record-breaking streak of 945 consecutive games with a made three-pointer ended against Texas Tech. With the Cyclones' streak stopped, Milwaukee now owns the fourth-longest active streak in Division I.

All-Time Streaks
1. Iowa State – 945 (Feb. 19, 1995–Jan. 11, 2025)
2. BYU – 798 (Feb. 26, 2000–Present)*
3. Chattanooga – 812 (Dec. 16, 1999–Present)*
4. South Alabama – 762 (Feb. 2000–Present)*
5. Milwaukee – 707 (Nov. 29, 2002–Present)*
6. Dayton – 697 (Jan. 2, 2001–Jan. 17, 2024)
* Active streaks (through Nov. 21, 2025)

TEN FOR THREE
After posting only three games with 10+ three-pointers in 2023-24, Milwaukee rebounded with eight such games in 2024-25, including its postseason loss to Detroit Mercy. Under Kyle Rechlicz, the Panthers have recorded at least 10 threes in a game 71 times.

MAGIC NUMBER
Since 2016-17, when Milwaukee shoots at least 40 percent from the field, it is 117-45 (.722). When shooting 43 percent or better, the Panthers improve to 100-25 (.800). When shooting below 40 percent, Milwaukee is 27-97 (.218).

KEEPING THE FOULS DOWN
Since 2022-23, Milwaukee is 12-2 when committing 11 or fewer fouls. Conversely, the Panthers are 11-31 when committing 18 or more.

IN THE PAINT
Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Milwaukee is 21-17 when scoring more than 25 points in the paint and 5-28 when scoring fewer than 25.

BALANCING THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES
Last season, Milwaukee shot 39.6 percent (354-896) in first halves and 39.3 percent (338-862) in second halves. In overtime, the Panthers shot 7-of-30 (23.3 percent).

This season, Milwaukee is shooting 40.9 percent (63-154) in first halves, 35.7 percent (55-154) in second halves, and 33.3 percent (2-6) in overtime.

CLOSE GAMES
Last season, Milwaukee went 3-14 in games decided by nine points or fewer. The Panthers' three wins came in both home and road victories over IU Indy and a home win over Youngstown State. In 2025-26, the Panthers are 1-2 in single-digit games.