Full Recap and Stats
Player Of The Game: The SENIORS came to play. Sami Tucker set a career-high with 16 rebounds, which was the highest single-game rebound total since February of 2010, a span of 91 games. She added 8 points and 4 assists. Sammy Theut tied her career-high with 12 points, including four very important ones - a nifty one-on-one layup and pair of free throws - in the final minute to give UWM the game.
Theut joined radio play-by-play announcer Scott Warras after the game as his player of the game. Listen to her comments HERE.
Play of the Game: You have to give it to Theut. Milwaukee had built a late lead to as many as 13 with about 5 minutes to play, only to see UIC back within 5 in the final minute. Her layup with 50 seconds pushed it back to 7 and then a pair of free throws just 17 seconds later put it out of reach.
News and Notes: Tucker upped her career rebound total to 754, moving past Erica Young (was fourth with 751). She could still pass Lindsay Laur (third with 791) on the career charts before the end of the season. The start was also the 100th of her UWM career, making her one of about 15 players to accomplish that all-time. Emily Decorah made 5 more 3's tonight, giving her 91 on the year to trail the all-time school (and Horizon League) record of 93 set by Jess Wilhite back in 2000-2001. She'll have at least 2 games to break it.
Up Next: The Panthers close out the regular season with "Senior Day" against Green Bay. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. against the Phoenix.
Postseason: While I am officially waiting for the Horizon League office to send out the "bullet-proof" scenarios before I go on the record with anything, the seeds from 5 thru 9 are certainly, shall we say, interesting.
5. Wright State 6-10
T6. Milwaukee 5-10
T6. UIC 5-10
8. Cleveland State 5-11
9. Valparaiso 4-11
The Panthers would like to stay out of the 8-9 mix, as the winner of that game heads to No. 1 Green Bay. It certainly appears that they are. They hold the 2-0 tie-breaker over CSU, so that helps. The best they could get would be 6-10 with a win over GB, but WSU holds that tie-breaker. If UWM, Valpo and CSU all end 5-11, Milwaukee wins that tie-break and would be the 7 seed. I will pass on the official word from the HL office as soon as I get it.
