MILWAUKEE – For the fourth consecutive season, the Milwaukee women's basketball team will spend Thanksgiving weekend competing in a holiday tournament—this year heading to California for the 2025 Tiger Turkey Tip-Off hosted by Pacific.

The Panthers will open play against the host Tigers on Friday at 5:30 p.m. (CT), followed by a Saturday matchup with UC Davis at 3:00 p.m. (CT), both games at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The tournament will mark Milwaukee's first-ever meeting with both Pacific and UC Davis.

Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with live stats of the games also available. Links to the broadcasts and live stats can be found on MKEPanthers.com. 
 
THE MATCHUPS & GAME LINKS
Friday, Nov. 28 | Milwaukee at Pacific | Alex G. Spanos Center | Stockton, Calif. | 5:30 p.m. (CT) | ESPN+ / Live Stats | Follow Along (on X)
Saturday, Nov. 29 | Milwaukee vs. UC Davis | Alex G. Spanos Center | Stockton, Calif. | 3:00 p.m. (CT) | ESPN+ / Live Stats | Follow Along (on X)
 
QUICK NOTES
» Milwaukee heads to California for a pair of non-conference games, taking on host Pacific on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. (CT) and UC Davis on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
» The Panthers are coming off a 67-53 loss to Butler on Sunday afternoon that saw the team's fourth-quarter comeback attempt fall short despite outscoring the Bulldogs 20-11 in the fourth quarter and outrebounding Butler 39-31 in the game.
» This will be the first-ever meetings for Milwaukee against Pacific and UC Davis, while the Panthers have also never played Jacksonville State, who is the fourth team participating in the event.
» Among teams that currently make up the West Coast Conference, Milwaukee is 3-5 in games, which includes 1-0 against Pepperdine, 1-2 against Saint Mary's, 1-1 versus San Francisco, and 0-2 against Seattle.
» Meanwhile against teams from the Big Sky, Milwaukee is 2-0 versus Montana State and 0-1 against both Sacramento State and Weber State.
» Pacific is 1-4 and enters the week on a four-game losing streak, most recently to Cal State Fullerton, 68-56. UC Davis is 4-2 on the year coming into the week and won a 70-67 game on Monday in overtime against Sacramento State.

QUICK LOOK AT PACIFIC
Entering the weekend at 1-4, the Pacific Tigers will take on Milwaukee for the first time in program history on Friday evening. The Tigers got a win in their season opener, but have since gone 0-4 to Cal Baptist, California, Seton Hall, and Cal State Fullerton.

Pacific was selected eighth in the West Coast Conference Preseason Poll, trailing seventh place Saint Mary's by just three points. Oregon State was selected atop the poll with 119 points, while Gonzaga was second at 111. The Tigers did not have a player on the WCC Preseason Team, with the Tigers losing a pair of All-Conference Second Team selections with senior Anaya James and graduate student Liz Smith.

Head coach Bradley Davis is in his 11th season leading the Tigers, and his 20th season on the staff overall. The name of the game for Pacific is all about the three-point shot, as the Tigers are in the top-90 in Division I in three pointers per game at 7.6, while defensively they are 24th in the nation in defending the three.

PACIFIC – PLAYERS TO WATCH
Daria Nestorov – 5 Games / 5 Starts, 30.6 Minutes/Game, 8.0 Points/Game, 3.0 Rebounds/Game, 20 Assists, 10 Steals.
Sydney Ward – 5 Games / 5 Starts, 24.0 Minutes/Game, 9.4 Points/Game, 6.2 Rebounds/Game, 6 Steals, 7 Blocks.
Winner Bartholomew – 5 Games / 5 Starts, 24.4 Minutes/Game, 11.2 Points/Game, 6.0 Rebounds/Game, 6 Assists, 7 Steals.

QUICK LOOK AT UC DAVIS
Receiving one first place vote and 83 points in the Big West Preseason Poll, UC Davis was tabbed third behind league favorite Hawai'i and second-place UC Irvine. Megan Norris was named to the All-Conference Preseason Team, finishing last season averaging 10.8 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game.

The Aggies have made a three-point shot in 552 consecutive games, the seventh longest active streak in Division I basketball dating back to 2008. Sophomore Ryan Bennett leads the team this season with 17 three-pointers, including at least two in each game this season, Bennett also had a 5-for-5 performance for three against Stanford on Nov. 20.

Led by Jennifer Gross in her 15th season as head of UC Davis, the Aggies recently survived a scare on Monday evening against Sacramento State. UC Davis lost a nine-point fourth-quarter lead before winning in overtime against the Hornets in the 65th edition of the 'Causeway Cup'. UC Davis will enter the weekend in Stockton at 4-2 and play Jacksonville State on Friday before playing Milwaukee on Saturday.

UC DAVIS – PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ryann Bennett – 6 Games / 6 Starts, 35.5 Minutes/Game, 19.5 Points/Game, 3.8 Rebounds/Game, 15 Assists, 10 Steals.
Nya Epps – 6 Games / 6 Starts, 32.2 Minutes/Game, 13.0 Points/Game, 3.8 Rebounds/Game, 9 Assists, 7 Steals.
Avery Sussex – 6 Games / 6 Starts, 27.3 Minutes/Game, 12.2 Points/Game, 3.8 Rebounds/Game, 13 Assists, 6 Steals.
Megan Norris – 6 Games / 6 Starts, 34.5 Minutes/Game, 10.0 Points/Game, 9.7 Rebounds/Game, 18 Assists, 17 Blocks.

UP NEXT
Horizon League play will follow Milwaukee's trip to California as the Panthers will welcome the Youngstown State Penguins to the Klotsche Center at 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 5. Milwaukee is 16-16 in conference openers since joining the Division I level.

ON THIS DATE
Milwaukee is 6-5 on games played on Nov. 28, including wins over Furman (1998-99), Northern Illinois (1999-2000), South Alabama (2009-10), Bradley (2011-12), La Salle (2015-16), and Bradley (2020-21), but have losses in their last two, coming in 2021-22 against Northern Illinois (2021-22), and to Air Force in San Juan, Puerto Rico a season ago (2024-25).

Meanwhile on Nov. 29, the Panthers are 4-5 with losses in their last three to Seattle (2009-10), Illinois State (2012-13), and Lamar (2013-14). Milwaukee has posted wins versus Southeast Missouri State (1996-97), Minnesota (1997-98), and Oklahoma State (2002-03), the first three times that the Panthers played on Nov. 29, as well as Northern Illinois (2008-09).

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.

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).

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. Chattanooga – 813 (Dec. 16, 1999–Present)*
3. BYU – 799 (Feb. 26, 2000–Present)*
4. South Alabama – 762 (Feb. 2000–Present)*
5. Milwaukee – 708 (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 27-98 (.216).

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 21-18 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 39.6 percent (72-182) in first halves, 36.0 percent (67-186) 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.