April 1, 2008

MILWAUKEE -

Game Notes in PDF Format

The Marquette women's basketball team will look to earn a berth in its second Women's National Invitation Tournament Championship game in the last three years when the Golden Eagles play at Colorado on Wednesday, April 2. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT at the Coors Event Center in Boulder.

Fans can listen live on ESPN Radio 540 AM with Matt Salmon calling the action. Live game audio and video will be available free of charge via the internet through Colorado's website CUBuffs.com. Game audio will also be available through MU Student Radio on www.marquetteradio.mu.edu.

Not only will Marquette (19-14) be looking for a berth in the WNIT Championship game which is set for Saturday, April 5 at 4 p.m. ET, but it will also be looking to win its 20th game for the third consecutive season, 10th time in program history.

Marquette stamped its ticket to the semifinals knocking out Creighton (75-69 OT), Illinois (72-64) and Kentucky (69-64). The three straight wins also marks the Golden Eagles' longest win streak of the season. Most recently in its win at Kentucky, junior Krystal Ellis had the hot hand and scorched the Wildcats for a career-best and Marquette WNIT record 40 points. She complimented her offensive ability on the other end of the court blocking a collegiate high four shots.

In WNIT only games, Ellis is averaging a team-best 24.7 ppg. Freshman Angel Robinson follows with 16.0 ppg. Robinson has scored in double figures in the last eight games. Jocelyn Mellen has been a dominating inside presence for the Golden Eagles in WNIT play with 9.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg.

It's been a streaky season for Colorado (19-14) as it started off the season winning 12 of its first 14 games, but then hit a skid losing nine of their next 10. After that the Buffaloes did not put together more than two consecutive wins through the end the regular season. They took wins from Texas and Kansas State in Boulder, but dropped their next two at Baylor and at Nebraska. They capped the regular season with a win over Missouri before dropping to Iowa State in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament. Colorado went 5-11 in Big 12 action this season.

Colorado, who also earned a first-round bye in the tournament, defeated Gonzaga (82-68), Villanova (64-58) and TCU (96-90 OT) to get to the semifinals. In their wins over Villanova and TCU, the Buffaloes overcame double-digit point deficits (11 points against Villanova and 16 points against TCU) to win the game.

The Buffalos have two players in double figures led by Jackie McFarland with 18.8 ppg and a team-best 8.2 rpg. Brittany Spears follows with 13.8 ppg and 7.7 rpg. McFarland scored a game-high 30 points in the overtime win over TCU, while Aija Putnina added a double double, 22 points and 10 rebounds. Twelve of her 22 points came from long distance. In WNIT play, the Buffaloes have been hot from behind the arc netting 8.0 3FGs per game.

Marquette fans are welcome to go to a pre-game reception starting at 5 p.m. MT at the Millennium Harvest House Boulder (1345 28th Street). Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available.