Postgame Report: Milwaukee at Illinois State

Game #6 – Milwaukee 54, Illinois State 75

Full Recap and Stats

Player Of The Game: Emily Decorah made three 3's and ended up leading the team with 11 points on the night as one of two players in double-figures. It marked the first time in her UWM career she has led the team in scoring.

Play of the Game: Unfortunately, it was Illinois State that had it. After the Panthers had clawed their way back into the game in the middle of the second half, the Redbirds took charge and scored 10 points in a row. That was all they needed to coast from there.

Key Stats: Milwaukee picked a tough time to go cold from the field. There was a near-eight minute stretch from 11:27 to 3:38 in the first half where it went just 1-for-10 from the field.

News and Notes: Sami Tucker scored 10 points, led the team with 8 rebounds and set a career-high with four steals. Freshman Jessica Prince made her Milwaukee collegiate debut late in the game. Less than 10 seconds later, she had her first rebound and first basket. She made it look way too easy.

Up Next: The Panthers left from Normal, Ill., and took the red-eye bus to East Lansing, Mich., for a Saturday contest against the Spartans. Tip is set for 3 p.m. CST and is part of a men's and women's doubleheader.

Postgame Report: San Juan Shootout

Game #4 – Milwaukee 57, Georgia Tech 66

Full Recap and Stats

Game #5 – Milwaukee 68, Eastern Kentucky 64

Full Recap and Stats

Quick Take: The overall field was tough – Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Virginia, Florida State, etc. – and the two teams that UWM played were a combined 5-2 coming into the San Juan Shootout. At the end of a fun and sunny week, UWM did more than hold its own – the Panthers played a Georgia Tech team that was ranked in the preseason pretty well and then closed impressively in earning the win over Eastern Kentucky.

Player Of The Game vs. Georgia Tech: It’s impressive to lead the team in scoring AND rebounding for three straight games, but that was what Ashley Green did against Georgia Tech. She led the way with 17 points (7-13 on FG’s) and tied for the lead with 5 rebounds.

Player Of The Game vs. Eastern Kentucky: Angela Rodriguez showed up big in the second half of the win, scoring 14 of her game-high 19 points in the second half. After trailing for most of the second, her 3-pointer with about 6 minutes to play finally put her team back ahead. Then, she was fouled twice with the game on the line and swished all four of her free throw attempts in the final 20 seconds of regulation.

She joined Scott Warras on the radio following the contest, hear that interview HERE.

Play of the Game: One of my favorites and Angela timed it perfectly. Taking the ball out under the basket and with a defender turning her back, Angela threw the inbounds pass of her back, stepped into play, grabbed the carom and made the layup. The next time I see that I think we will try and give the basket AND the assist to her!

Key Stats:It was interesting that free throws – which had been an issue all weekend – were what decided the game against EKU. The Panthers were 13-29 (44.8 percent) through the majority of two games in San Juan but then managed to sink 9 of their last 10 against EKU – including the final six in the last 23 seconds to close it out.

News and Notes: Senior Sammy Theut got her first two starts of the season … UWM used a 19-6 run to erase an early 10-point hole against Eastern Kentucky … Kimee Chandler hit two big shots in the win – one 3 that capped the 19-6 spurt and then a driving layup that re-tied the game after the Colonels had taken a two-point advantage with about a minute left … Milwaukee buried 7 3’s in the first half against EKU … And lastly, I managed a nice sunburn the first day.

Up Next:The team spent Monday traveling and gets back to “normal” life Tuesday, only to hit the road Wednesday for games at Illinois State Thursday and Michigan State Saturday.

Postgame Report - Hoops For Hope Classic

Saturday Recap
Sunday Recap
Saturday Postgame
Sunday Postgame

Player Of The Weekend: Demetrius Harris gets kudos again for his efforts, including a double-double in the loss to Jacksonville. But Jordan Aaron was beaten and battered all weekend long but somehow still played 76 minutes. He “only” scored seven points Sunday – his first game not in double figures – but did have 19 Saturday and also had four assists and just three turnovers against Rider.

Turning Points: The turning points in Saturday’s loss were numerous. Each time the Panthers managed to cut the lead to three Jacksonville would respond with a big basket or a call would go against Milwaukee. Sunday’s turning point likely came at the end of the half. UWM had the ball with a chance to pull within eight or even seven but a turnover resulted in a layup at the buzzer and a 12-point Rider lead. Milwaukee never got closer than 10 after that.

Key Numbers: Free throws, free throws, free throws. Milwaukee was outscored 52-27 from the line over the two games. The disparity in attempts was even larger, as Jacksonville and Rider combined for 77 attempts while UWM had 38.

News and Notes: UWM has lost three-straight games for the first time since the 2009-2010 season … Demetrius Harris has reached double figures for the third-straight game … Evan Richard became the seventh Panther player this season to hit double figures in points when he scored 11 Sunday … Thierno Niang had six assists Sunday … J.J. Panoske played his most meaningful minutes of the season Sunday, collecting two points and four rebounds in 13 minutes … after making 34 three-pointers in the first three games of the season, the Panthers have made only 12 in the last three … in fact, UWM went just 7-of-35 from three in the two games in Mexico after going 5-of-22 in Little Rock.

Up Next: UWM heads to Cedar Falls Saturday for a matchup with Northern Iowa.

Hoops For Hope Classic - Sunday Updates

• The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball team plays its final game in the Hoops for Hope Classic, squaring off with Rider Sunday afternoon. The game tips off at 3:30 p.m. CST and can be heard live on WISN (AM 1130).

• The Panthers dropped a 71-66 decision to Jacksonville Saturday afternoon. After opening up an 11-2 lead, Milwaukee fell behind 37-23 at halftime and could never get closer than three points in the second half.

• UWM has dropped consecutive games for the first time this season and the common thread in each has been turnovers. Milwaukee committed 19 turnovers in its loss at Arkansas-Little Rock Monday and then had 20 more in Saturday’s defeat.

• Jordan Aaron and Demetrius Harris continue to lead the charge for the Panthers on offense. Aaron has been in double figures in all five of his games in a Panther uniform and is averaging 19 points per game. Harris has been in double figures in each of the last three games and is averaging 12 points per contest.

• Harris is also becoming a force on the boards for Milwaukee. The senior added 12 rebounds to his 16 points Saturday for the first double-double of his career. He is second on the team in rebounding at 5.2 per contest, just behind James Haarsma’s 6.6 Both players have a double-double this season.

• The Panthers continue to play tremendous perimeter defense. Opponents have made just 13-of-69 (18.8 percent) shots from three-point range in the first five games of the season. Milwaukee has outscored its opponents 123-39 on three-pointers.

• Speaking of three-pointers, Milwaukee made just two 3-pointers and tried only 11 in Saturday’s loss. The Panthers had entered the contest making nearly 10 per game on average while attempting over 26 per contest. UWM did have a 38-22 edge on points in the paint in Saturday’s game.

• The Panthers are returning three starters and eight letterwinners from a team that won 20 games and played in the College Basketball Invitational a season ago. UWM also has five seniors on its roster, including returning starters James Haarsma and Paris Gulley. Milwaukee has been picked to finish sixth in the Horizon League and did not land anyone on the preseason all-league team.

• UWM continues to be shorthanded, though, as Gulley has been sidelined by late October by a broken hand. The senior guard is expected to return as soon as next week.

• Rider is 3-3 this season and the Broncos beat Jacksonville Friday afternoon in the Puerto Vallerta.

Postgame Report - Milwaukee @ UALR

Recap
Rob Jeter Postgame Interview

Player Of The Game: Austin Arians did everything he could to keep the Panthers in the game. The freshman made three 3-pointers and scored 13 points, consistently hitting big shots to keep Milwaukee in touch with UALR. He also played 32 minutes, basically not leaving the game after entering early in the first half.

Turning Point: Milwaukee looked like it might be on the verge of tying the game with eight minutes to play, as Demetrius Harris scored on a follow-up basket after a missed three-pointer by Kyle Kelm. The whistle blew and it looked like Harris might be in line for a three-point play. Instead, Harris was whistled for the foul, the basket was wiped out, and the Panthers were outscored 17-4 the rest of the way.

Key Numbers: UWM never got itself going on offense. The Panthers shot just 32.7 percent from the field and had 19 turnovers. Milwaukee was near just 0.6 on points per possession after being near 0.96 over the first three games of the year.

News and Notes: Demetrius Harris scored 15 points in a return to his home state. This is the second-straight double-figure outing for the senior, who did not have a double-figure point game in 19 outings a year ago … Jordan Aaron has now been in double figures in all four games this year … three of UWM’s five starters did not score … Thieno Niang was limited to 17 minutes because of foul trouble … this game was part of the Hoops for Hope Classic which also saw Milwaukee play at South Carolina a week ago.

Up Next: UWM heads to Puerto Vallerta for games Saturday and Sunday. The Panthers play Jacksonville Saturday and Rider Sunday.

Postgame Report - Davidson at Milwaukee

Recap
Highlights
Press Conference
BGN Extra

Player Of The Game: Jordan Aaron was good, and Kyle Kelm made big plays down the stretch. But Demetrius Harris shined throughout. The senior tallied a collegiate-high 17 points and added six rebounds. He lept above the field to pull down the decisive defensive rebound and then knocked in two free throws to officially seal the win.

Turning Point: Milwaukee dug itself a seven-point hole early in the second half, with Davidson going up 41-34. The Wildcats actually had one possession to go up even more, but the Panthers got a stop and then Thierno Niang responded with a three to get Milwaukee back on track. The Panthers eventually tied the game at 41 and battled their way to the win.

Key Numbers: Free throw shooting didn’t go the way of Milwaukee last weekend in South Carolina, but the Panthers were solid from the line Saturday night. UWM made 24-of-32 overall, including 6-of-6 in the final two minutes.

News and Notes: Kyle Kelm scored 11 points off the bench, his second double-figure effort in three games this season … Thierno Niang collected 12 rebounds, the second double-figure rebounding effort by a Panther this season … UWM held Davidson to just 4-of-14 shooting from three-point range and to 35.6 percent shooting overall … the Panthers have won 20 of their last 21 games at the Klotsche Center … Milwaukee will play at Davidson next season.

Up Next: UWM starts a stretch of four-straight games away from home with a Monday night contest at Arkansas-Little Rock.

Postgame Report: Milwaukee vs. Western Michigan

Game #3 – Milwaukee 88, Western Michigan 79

Full Recap and Stats

Player Of The Game: When five players score in double figures - with one of them making 5-of-6 three-pointers - it's a little tougher to make the call. But with career-highs of 20 points and 14 rebounds (setting a career-best in points for the second straight game), it's hard not to give it to Ashley Green.

She joined Scott Warras on the radio following the contest, hear that interview HERE.

Play of the Game: After leading by as many as 12 in the first half and holding a comfortable cushion of between 5 and 10 in the second, the Broncos made one last push and cut the lead to just two with about three minutes left. That was when Angela Rodriguez calmly took back the momentum, burying a three from the wing on UWM's next possession to start a game-sealing 7-0 run.

Key Stats: It's a good sign when the fans get their free chips & queso (for at least 10 made UWM 3's) with over 8 minutes left in the game! UWM buried 13 of 18 from long-distance on the night, with the 72.2% the second-best percentage in a game from distance in program history.

News and Notes: Emily Decorah made 5-of-6 three-pointers to come close to the single-game record. The standard is 5-of-5, done twice. There has also been a 7-of-8 and a pair of 6-of-7's, with Decorah's % of .833 sixth. When Sammy Theut made a pair of free throws with just seconds remaining, it gave UWM five players in double-figures. The last time that happened was 106 games ago (!!!!!) against Loyola, Jan. 24, 2009. Theut also had a perfect night: she got her 11 points on 2-2 FG (1-1 3FG) and 6-6 free throws.

Up Next: The Panthers head to Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout! The 10-day forecast calls for 87 and cloudy the first few days.

The "Kyle Rechlicz Show" on TWC Sports 32

With the basketball season underway, it's time to get the coaches shows rolling as well. The first edition of the "Kyle Rechlicz Show" is already finished and will be airing this week on Time Warner Cable Sports 32.

Sports 32 will also be airing the Panthers home opener against Western Michigan Wednesday evening and the first airing of Kyle's show takes place right before the broadcast.

Here is the full schedule:
Wednesday 14th at 6:30 p.m. (just prior to the live game telecast)
Thursday 15th at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 15th at 10:30 p.m.
Friday 16th at 7:30 a.m.
Friday 16th at 8:30 a.m.

Postgame Report: Milwaukee at Wisconsin

Game #2 – Milwaukee 56, Wisconsin 74

Full Recap and Stats

Player Of The Game: An easy one on this night. Sophomore Ashley Green did not start the game, but came off the bench to score a career-high 19 points, topping her former high of 18 which she netted twice last year. She made 8-of-13 shots from the floor and tied for the team lead with six rebounds.

Play of the Game: For Milwaukee, it was the start of the night. The Panthers hit six of their first eight attempts from three-point range and raced out to an eight-point lead at one point in the first half at 27-19.

Key Stats: Wisconsin's work on the offensive glass took over. The Badgers had 10 first-half offensive rebounds that they turned into 13 points, with a pair of possessions right after UWM had taken that 8-point lead crucial in deciding the momentum of the half.

News and Notes: After leading the team in rebounds in the opener (with 9, the most-ever for a UWM freshman in a season opener), Avyanna Young did it again, tying for the team lead with six. In addition, Angela Rodriguez is off to an impressive 7-for-10 start from 3-point range after two games, easily the best in the league for any one that has made at least one 3 per game.

Up Next: UWM opens the home portion of the schedule Wednesday, welcoming Western Michigan to the Klotsche Center for a 7 p.m. tip.

Postgame Report - Milwaukee at South Carolina

Player Of The Game: Jordan Aaron took over the game on multiple occasions Sunday afternoon. He scored 12 points in the final five minutes of the first half to give UWM a 38-23 lead at the break, the poster another burst that allowed Milwaukee to respond to a big South Carolina run and re-establish a 51-36 lead. In all, Aaron had 28 points and six assists.

Turning Point: Milwaukee had an eight-point lead with four minutes remaining but would not score again in regulation. In fact, the Panthers did not strike again until over a minute into overtime.

Key Numbers: The foul line was the difference, as South Carolina converted on 26-of-31 while Milwaukee made just 9-of-19. The Gamecocks made all 12 of their tries in overtime.

News and Notes: This was Milwaukee first overtime loss since January of 2009 … UWM made 14 three-pointers and now has knocked in 27 in the first two games of the season … meanwhile, the Panthers have allowed opponents to make just 3-of-32 from three-point range, including the 0-of-11 effort from South Carolina Sunday … James Haarsma tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds for his first UWM double-double. It also marked the third time in his Panther career he reached double figures in rebounds … Jordan Aaron’s 28 points marked the most by a Panther since Anthony Hill scored 32 at UIC near the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

Up Next: UWM is back at the Klotsche Center Saturday night, hosting Davidson in a 7 p.m. contest.

Postgame Report - Milwaukee vs. Mary

Player Of The Game: Kyle Kelm delivered exactly what the Panthers are looking for. The junior came off the bench to score 15 points, including three 3-pointers. He also added five rebounds.

Turning Point: The Panthers actually trailed for the first 10 minutes but then took control. UWM wound up holding Mary to just 8 points over those final 10 minutes en route to a 34-19 halftime lead.

Key Numbers: Two numbers jump out, as Milwaukee made 13 three-pointers and committed just eight turnovers. Those numbers will win a lot of games.

News and Notes: UWM had just eight turnovers in the game. The Panthers were in single digits in turnovers four times last season ... Jordan Aaron had seven assists to go with 12 points in his official collegiate debut ... other debut performances included Thierno Niang (11 points), Austin Arians (7 points) and J.J. Panoske (4 points, 3 rebounds) ... UWM is now 11-4 in its last 15 season openers overall ... since Milwaukee returned to the Division I ranks in 1990, the Panthers are 14-9 in season openers ... UWM is 20-3 in home openers since 1990 while Rob Jeter is now 8-0 in home openers and 6-2 in season openers ... Milwaukee has now won 19 of its last 20 non-exhibition games played in the Klotsche Center and is 46-10 in its last 56 games in the building.

Up Next: UWM hits the road Sunday, playing at South Carolina. The game tips at 2 p.m. CST and is on Fox Sports Wisconsin.

Postgame Report: Milwaukee at Chicago State

Game #1 – Milwaukee 82, Chicago State 58

Full Recap and Stats


Player Of The Game: Well, all 12 players that suited up played in the game, including 10 that scored points and nine that played at least 11 minutes. But Angela Rodriguez led the charge, finishing with a game-high 18 points - including four three-pointers.

She joined Scott Warras on the radio following the contest, hear that interview HERE.

Play of the Game: There wasn't just a single play that stood out, but rather a stretch of plays. UWM came out on a mission in the second half, going out on a 16-1 run where it held CSU without a field goal on its first 13 tries. That built the lead to over 20 and it was over.

Key Stats: After scoring 88 points in the exhibition win over Hillsdale, the Panthers did not stop there, putting up 82 points in the season opener. The win was the first in a season-opener since 2009-10 and the highest scoring opener since 2007.

News and Notes: Emily Decorah returned from that knee injury last season and tied her career-high with 10 points while also setting a personal-best with seven rebounds. Macie Dorow made an impression, setting career-highs with seven points and three assists as well.

Up Next: UWM closes out the weekend with a big game Sunday, taking on Wisconsin in the Kohl Center. Tip off is set for 6 p.m.

WSOC Match Report: Wright State (HL Championship)

Horizon League Championship
Wright State 0:1 Milwaukee (2ot)
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012
Engelmann Stadium (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Woman of the Match
Krissy Dorre had the game's lone goal in the second overtime for the second-straight game, send the Panthers to victory. Clutch scoring often wins the day.

Notes
Dorre is the second Panther this season with back-to-back game-winners this season (Steinhauser Oct. 3-10) ... the 2012 seniors are the second-straight class to advance to all the NCAA Tournament in all four years ... Sammy Vovos is a fifth-year senior and will go to her fifth tourney ... it was the 16th instance in school history, but the first where both games were overtime games ... this also marked the first time UWM won double-overtime contests in back-to-back games ... the Panthers have won 11-straight league tournament games and are unbeaten in their last 14 (12-0-1) ... Forbes also picked up her 37th win in goal, second-most in school history ... her 87 saves this season are seventh-most in school history ... she has also played 5,422:49 in goal in her career, second all-time ... all five league tournament games this season have finished 1-0 ... Milwaukee is now 21-7-5 all-time against the Raiders, all-time and 7-1-2 in league tournaments ... the Panthers have now avenged four of their last five league losses in tournament play (they did not play YSU in this year's tournament) ... Milwaukee is now 7-3-4 in league title games, with nine championships ... Milwaukee is at .500 for the first time this season since 1-1-1 ... the Panthers have won in overtime games in back-to-back outings just twice before (10/13-15/06; 9/24-28/03), but had never won 2OT games back-to-back before.

Iron Woman Watch (Played every minute this season) 1625 minutes ... Forbes, Scott.

Next Up
The Panthers will await word on its NCAA First Round opponent. The NCAA will announce pairings Monday.

WSOC Match Report: Loyola (HL Semis)

Horizon League Semifinals
Loyola 0:1 Milwaukee (2ot)
Friday, Nov. 2, 2012
Engelmann Stadium (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Woman of the Match
Jamie Forbes was aggressive in the back and made 11 saves to keep Loyola scoreless until the Panthers broke through for the game's lone goal in the second overtime.

Notes
Milwaukee is now 21-2-3 all-time vs. Loyola, including 3-0-2 in the league tournament ... the Panthers have won 10-straight league tournament games and are unbeaten in their last 13 (12-0-1) ... they are also 13-4-1 in league semifinals ... Forbes tied a career-high with 11 saves ... Forbes also picked up her 36th win in goal, tying Kerri St. Aubin for second-most in school history ... each of the first four league tournament games this season have finished 1-0 ... this was the first match where the higher seed won ... the shutout was her 26th and moved her into second in league history behind UWM's Erin Kane (45, 2005-08) ... her 81 saves this season are eighth-most in school history ... she has also played 5,320:20 in goal, just over 33 minutes shy of second all-time.

Looking Ahead...
The Panthers will play Wright State Sunday for the 10th time in tournament play, including the fourth time in the title game and the second-straight year ... Milwaukee is 6-1-2 against the Raiders, including a 5-1 win in the title game last season ... UWM fell to WSU in the regular season and Sunday will mark the ninth time the Panthers have played a team that beat them earlier. They at 7-1 in those games ... Milwaukee is 6-3-4 in league title games, with eight championships.

Iron Woman Watch (Played every minute this season) 1522 minutes ... Forbes, Scott.

Next Up
The Panthers take on Wright State in the Horizon League Championship Sunday at 1 p.m.