Wisconsin Badgers
Milwaukee
Five things to know: Wisconsin vs. Milwaukee
December 12, 2017 | Women's Basketball
Badgers and Panthers tip off at 7 p.m. in the Kohl Center
Wisconsin
7-5
Milwaukee
7-2
Game Coverage
Thursday, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. — Kohl Center - Madison, Wis.
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin women's basketball (7-5) wraps up the non-conference season by hosting in-state rival Milwaukee (7-2) on Thursday in the Kohl Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
The Badgers have two weeks off due to final exams and the holidays before opening the Big Ten season on Dec. 28. UW hosts No. 25 Iowa at 7 p.m. at the Kohl Center. The game will be live on both BTN2Go and FLOHoops and can also be heard locally on 100.9 FM.
1. LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BADGERS: Jumping out to a 9-0 lead, the Wisconsin women's basketball team never looked back as it dominated Savannah State, 82-24, Sunday evening at the Kohl Center. Savannah State scored just 24 points, breaking the school record for fewest points by an opponent in a game. The previous low was 27 points by Northern Illinois on Jan. 23, 1975. The Tigers shot just 13.3 percent (7-57) from field-goal range, setting a school record for lowest field goal percentage by an opponent. The Badgers (7-4) shot 47.4 percent (18-38) from the field in the first half to lead 41-10 at the half. Wisconsin wasn't shy on the boards either, out-muscling the Tigers 29-14 in the half. SSU also had just two assists, which is the fewest assists by an opponent in UW history. The previous low was three by Butler on Nov. 20, 2016. Savannah State put up just 10 points in the first half, which is a season low by an opponent. It also ties for the second-fewest points in a half all time. The Badgers recorded a season high 58 rebounds and tied their season high with 22 assists. UW also had a season high six blocks and a season-high nine steals.
2. SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: Milwaukee is 7-2 on the season and is on a seven-game winning streak after losing its first two games of the season to Drake (77-73) and Houston (74-59). Since then, they are on a tear with wins over CSUN (58-50), Loyola (63-41), Western Illinois (77-67), North Dakota State (74-38), Northwestern (66-57), Illinois State (61-59) and Fort Wayne (60-48). The Panthers are led by Steph Kostowicz, who is averaging 17.4 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game.
3. LAST TIME OUT FOR THE PANTHERS: Milwaukee never trailed in cruising to a 60-48 road win over Fort Wayne Sunday afternoon from Gates Sports Complex. A total of 11 different players scored for UWM (7-2), which used a 17-3 run between the first and second quarters to establish a big lead early before coasting to their seventh consecutive win. Steph Kostowicz led all players with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. She also hauled in a team-high six rebounds to go with three blocks and three assists in just 26 minutes.
4. WE'VE GOT HISTORY: Wisconsin leads the all-time series with Milwaukee 24-2 overall, with the only UW losses in 1992 and 2016. In Madison, Badgers hold a 16-1 record over the Panthers. The Badgers and Panthers have many connections. Milwaukee head coach Kyle (Black) Rechlicz was a standout for Wisconsin, guiding the Badgers to four post-season appearances. Her assistant coach Anya Covington also has her name all over the Wisconsin record books as the Badgers' three-time captain played in 123 career games and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten as a senior. In addition, Covington was a two-time recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Both served as assistant coaches for Wisconsin at one point. Milwaukee's Director of Operations Molly Hanson was a manager for the Badgers from 2012-14, serving as head manager in 2014-15.
5. FAB FIVE: Five Badgers scored in double figures for the first time since Nov. 9, 2017 vs. Nebraska. Junior Marsha Howard led Wisconsin with her third double-double on the year, recording 20 points (10-of-14) and 10 rebounds. The forward aided the Badgers to a season-high 58 rebounds as six UW players had five-or-more boards. Sophomore Suzanne Gilreath provided 12 points, shooting 4-of-12 from 3-point range, while tying her career high with three assists off the bench. Senior Cayla McMorris added 11 points and six rebounds. Courtney Fredrickson added 11 points, while Kendall Shaw recorded a season-high 10 points.
BONUS: WE'LL TAKE MCBUCKETS FOR 100, ALEX: Senior Cayla McMorris played in her 100th career game against Savannah State. The 6-0 guard had 11 points and six rebounds in the contest.
