March 23, 2006

MILWAUKEE -- Marquette continues play in the postseason tomorrow night, when it takes on Indiana in the quarterfinals of the WNIT at 7 p.m. at the Al McGuire Center.

The Golden Eagles advanced into Friday night's game after a 69-63 overtime win at Iowa State on Monday, March 20. Krystal Ellis scored 22 points - including a key three-pointer with 2:30 left in overtime that helped seal the MU victory. Three other players tallied double-figures in the scoring column, as Jasmine McCullough scored 12 points and Carolyn Kieger and Christina Quaye each tallied 11.

"Our team has worked so hard to get to this point, especially competing in overtime games." said head coach Terri Mitchell. "We have the passion to continue. Everyone wants to keep the season going. It is great for our young players because it gives them postseason experience and it is good for our seniors as well to let them end their careers on a high note."

For the game, Marquette outrebounded the Cyclones, 45-32, while holding them to just 36.4% shooting from the floor - including 0-for-10 in the extra frame.

In the Golden Eagles' two games in the WNIT, they have held their opponents to a combined 34.4% field goal percentage (45-119).

The victory gave MU its seventh 20-win season in program history - five of which have come during the Terri Mitchell era.

With the continued play into late March, Kieger continues to chase Marquette's all-time assist list. The senior point guard has tallied 686 helpers in her career and needs just four to become the school's all-time leader. Joan Pitrof '90 holds the mark, at 689.

"Carolyn is a special player. She is definitely a (Marquette) Hall of Fame basketball player." stated Mitchell. "She has and continues to shatter records.

As we keep winning it gives her a chance to get the record and that is attribute to not only her, but the team as well."

Kieger agreed with the team aspect.

"If I do (get the record), it will be nice to celebrate with fans and parents." she said. "But if we win and I don't get it, then I will have another game to try to get it. It's my teammates who finish the shots, the credit goes to them. My job is easy."

And the extended play in the postseason benefits the younger players on the squad, namely Ellis. Including the BIG EAST Tournament, where she scored a career-best 29 points against Villanova, the 5-10 newcomer from Racine is averaging 22.0 points per game in the "second season" for Marquette.

"Krystal recognizes that she is good." said Mitchell. "At Iowa State, they had no idea she was a freshman. She wanted the ball, but was selfless. She had the hot hand and just determined to get by most people. I don't know too many freshmen, or too many seniors in fact, that will do whatever works to win."

She is shooting 54.5% (21-40) from the floor, including connecting on 9-of-20 from the perimeter, in those three games. Along with her scoring prowess comes solid defense, as Ellis has registered 13 steals in the three-game span - an average of 4.3 per game.

"We have a lot of energy right now. I just want to help my teammmates and finish with a win." Ellis explained. "I realize I am a freshman and there are so many things I can improve on. I need to pick up my intensity and just have the energy to play tomorrow."

Marquette's opponent tomorrow - Indiana - advanced in WNIT play after downing intra-state rival Indiana State, 68-62, in Terre Haute on March 20. Cyndi Valentin scored 10 of her 20 points down the stretch, as the Hoosiers pulled away from the Sycamores last in the contest. She leads IU in scoring, at 18.4 points per game, and assists (3.5). Jenny DeMuth is second in scoring, contributing 13.8 points per outing, while averaging a team-best 7.2 rebounds.

Whitney Thomas is tied along with DeMuth for the rebounding lead.

"Indiana is a very passionate, disciplined team. They have great guard play." said Mitchell. "We are going have to go with the ball and stop them in transition. They just refuse to lose and have had a great play down the stretch and in their conference tournament."

Kieger agreed, "They have great guards who account for most of their points. The coaches have given us a game plan and we need to stick to it."

This is the second Big Ten opponent for the Golden Eagles in the WNIT this season. On March 17, Marquette downed Illinois, 64-44, in the first round.

Earlier this season, MU went on the road to beat both Wisconsin and Penn State.

With a win, Marquette would set a new single-season win record at the Al McGuire Center. Since the doors to the state-of-the-art facility opened in January, 2004, the Golden Eagles have compiled a 32-6 record (.842) on their home court.

"When we play at home, we take nothing for granted." Mitchell explained. "The WNIT keeps teams alive and lets them to continue to play throughout March. Our goal now is winning the WNIT Championship."

Tickets for tomorrow's game are available at the Al McGuire Center box office, by calling (414) 288-GOMU, or by logging onto ticketmaster.com.