April 4, 2008

MILWAUKEE -

WNIT Championship Game Notes in PDF Format

For the first time in program history, the Marquette University women's basketball team is playing into the month of April. The Golden Eagles will play their second game this month on Saturday, April 5 at Michigan State for the Women's National Invitation Tournament Championship. Tip-off at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., is set for 3 p.m. CT.

The game will be nationally televised live on CBS College Sports Network, formerly known as CSTV, with Tracy Warren and Thad Anderson calling the action. The game will also be broadcast via the airwaves on ESPN Radio 1510 AM with Matt Salmon on the call. MU Student Radio will broadcast the game on the internet.

For junior Marissa Thrower, sophomore Janelle Harris and freshman Jasmine Collins, the trip to East Lansing is a homecoming of sorts. The trio hails from Detroit, approximately 90 miles from Michigan State's campus.

The road-tested Golden Eagles (20-14) stamped their ticket to their second WNIT title game in the last three years by knocking out Creighton (75-69 OT), Illinois (72-64), Kentucky (69-64) and most recently Colorado (86-72). The four straight victories also mark the Golden Eagles' longest win streak of the season.

In their decisive win over Colorado, the Golden Eagles dominated both ends of the court. Marquette's defense ignited its offense in the first half forcing 10 CU turnovers and scoring 17 points off those miscues. The Golden Eagles never let up and led by as many as 25 points. Junior Krystal Ellis led the way for the third straight game with 27 points, six assists and two steals all without a turnover. Ellis is currently averaging a team-high 25.3 ppg in WNIT play.

Meanwhile, Michigan State (23-13) advanced to its first ever WNIT Championship game by defeating NC State, 58-57, at the Breslin Center on Wednesday. Mia Johnson scored 17 points, and sophomore All-Big Ten selection and conference defensive player of the year Allyssa DeHaan recorded 15 points and the game-winning lay-up in Spartans' rally to defeat the Wolfpack.

Much like Marquette, who is the youngest team in the BIG EAST with seven underclassmen, nine of the Spartans' 12 active players are freshmen and sophomores, the most underclassmen of any team in the Big Ten.

DeHaan leads the Spartans with 14.4 ppg and 5.5 rpg. She is also second in the nation in blocked shots, with 145 on the season. DeHaan is averaging 14.0 ppg and 4.5 blocks per game, while Kalisha Keane follows closely with 13.0 ppg over MSU's four WNIT contests.

The Spartans have played all four of its WNIT contests at home and stand 13-4 overall for the season at the Breslin Center.

Marquette will host a pre-game reception at Woody's Oasis Bar and Grill (211 East Grand River Ave.) beginning at 2 p.m. EST. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar will be available.