Women's Basketball Weekly Release #16

Feb. 19, 2007

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Player of the Week

Nicole Soulis, UW-Green Bay
Senior * Forward * Green Bay, Wis.
Soulis led the Phoenix in a pair of road wins last week, as UW-Green Bay remained unbeaten in Horizon League action. Against Youngstown State, Soulis had a game-high 23 points, aided by a 10-of-12 mark at the free throw line, while adding seven rebounds. Then, versus Cleveland State, Soulis led the way with 17 points - including the go-ahead basket in the final minute - and a key blocked shot in the waning seconds to seal UW-Green Bay's 18th-straight win.

Other Top Performances from the Week Ending Feb. 18

Lade Akande, Butler
Sophomore * Center * Robinson, Ill.
Akande led the Bulldogs in scoring in a home win against Detroit on Saturday, scoring a game-high 20 points on eight-of-14 shooting from the field. She also pulled down six rebounds, dished a pair of assists and had a block in 30 minutes.

Chenara Wilson, Cleveland State
Senior * Center * Cleveland, Ohio
Wilson matched her career-high with 18 points to lead the Vikings past UW-Milwaukee on Thursday. She went 7-for-11 from the field and 4-for-6 from the line, while adding five rebounds and a pair of assists. Two days later, she notched eight points and five boards against No. 25 UW-Green Bay.

LaShonda Grant, UIC
Senior * Guard * Chicago, Ill.
Grant guided UIC to a 2-0 week and its tenth-straight victory, averaging 19.5 points per game last week. The guard shot 83 percent from the free throw line, while tallying eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals in two games. Grant contributed 13 points in a non-conference victory over Chicago State on Tuesday. She then led UIC to a win over Loyola on Saturday with a game-high 26 points. Grant amassed a team-best six assists and five steals versus the Ramblers.

Maggie McCloskey, Loyola
Freshman * Guard * Riverside, Ill.
McCloskey poured in a team-high 13 points and added three assists but UIC was able to gain control late in a 73-64 win over Loyola in the Ramblers' only game last week. McCloskey knocked down three more triples to bring her total to 61 for the season, a Loyola freshman record and good enough for 7th on LU's single-season chart - one behind Marquise Hanser's total from last year for sixth.

Traci Edwards, UW-Milwaukee
Sophomore * Center * Menasha, Wis.
Edwards averaged 19 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in leading the Panthers to a 1-1 record on the road last week. At Cleveland State, she had 16 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Then, she tallied game highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds at Youngstown State. She also went 12-of-16 from the free-throw line versus YSU, her second 12 free throw game of the season, tied for fourth-most in a game in school history.

Brittney Whiteside, Wright State
Senior * Guard * Columbus, Ohio
Whiteside poured in a team-high 20 points in the Raiders' victory over Detroit on Thursday. She went 14-of-16 from the charity stripe while adding three rebounds and three assists.

Monique Godfrey, Youngstown State
Sophomore * Guard * East Cleveland, Ohio
Godfrey averaged 16.5 points per game in Youngstown State's two losses last week. The 5-foot-8 guard posted a career-high 21 points against UW-Milwaukee on Saturday and added 12 against No. 25 UW-Green Bay on Thursday. Against the Panthers, Godfrey hit on six-of-13 from the field, including four three-pointers.

Horizon League Notes

UW-Green Bay (21-3; 12-0 HL)
The Phoenix picked up two more victories last week in Ohio, downing Youngstown State, 74-62, on Thursday before surviving at Cleveland State, 69-66, on Saturday. With the wins, UWGB now owns the nation's third-longest winning streak at 18 games, surpassing the school record of 17 games set in 1983-84.

Seniors Nicole Soulis and Natalie Berglin led the UW-Green Bay offense with 23 and 15 points, respectively. Soulis converted on six-of-10 shots from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. The Phoenix made all 13 free-throw attempts in the first half, but would see its streak of 38 consecutive shots made from the charity stripe snapped early in the second stanza. The stretch dated back to the first half of the Feb. 3 game against Detroit.

Cleveland State gave UW-Green Bay all it could ask for on Saturday, forcing the Phoenix to get a timely basket and blocked shot by senior Nicole Soulis and a pair of clutch free throws by Natalie Berglin to edge the Vikings, 69-66. Soulis and sophomore Rachel Porath both notched 17 points in the win, with 14 of Porath's coming in the first half. Berglin handed out a team-high six assists while committing just one turnover to give her a five-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio on the week.

The team shot 43.5 percent (47-of-108) in the two games this week and now owns a 49.0 percent pace in Horizon League play. At the charity stripe, the Phoenix has shot 87.2 percent over 12 League contests.

Individually, Soulis ranks second in the loop in scoring (17.7) and blocked shots (1.50), while placing third in free-throw percentage (.839) and field-goal percentage (.565).

As a team, UWGB leads the Horizon League in scoring offense (76.3 ppg.), scoring defense (60.8 ppg.), scoring margin (+15.5), free-throw percentage (.812), field-goal percentage (.479), three-point field goal percentage (.384), assists (17.29 apg.) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.37).

According to the latest statistics release by the NCAA (Feb. 16), the Phoenix top all Division I teams in free-throw shooting, while placing third in turnovers per game and sixth in field-goal percentage. UW-Green Bay is the only team in the nation that is in the top 10 in field goal, free throw and three-point shooting percentages.

With its win against Youngstown State on Thursday, the Phoenix secured its eighth-straight 20-win season. The team's current run is the eighth time in the past nine seasons UWGB has won at least 10-straight contests.

UW-Green Bay finishes its home slate and closes out regular-season competition at the Phoenix Sports Center this week as Wright State (Thursday) and Butler (Saturday) visit. The team will move to the currently-under-construction Kress Events Center for the 2007-08 season.

UIC (17-9; 10-3 HL)
The second-place team in the Horizon League is also riding a program-best winning streak as UIC has reeled off ten-straight victories, including nine against League competition. Last week, the Flames edged non-conference foe Chicago State, 75-60, on Tuesday before taking down Loyola, 72-63, on Saturday.

Freshman Jessie Miller tallied 17 points against Chicago State, marking the third-straight contest she has notched team-high scoring total. Seniors LaShonda Grant and Jackie Parker also eclipsed the 10-point plateau with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Despite getting out-rebounded, 39-37, the Flames converted on 45.8 percent (22-of-48) of their shots and held the Cougars to 33.9 percent (21-of-62) shooting.

Grant led the way against crosstown rival Loyola on Saturday, pouring in 26 points to go along with six assists, five rebounds and five steals. Classmate Jacquay Holmes had 17 points and five rebounds, while sophomore Ashley Hluska picked up a season-best 11 points and eight rebounds. The team also forced the Ramblers into 26 turnovers due in large part to the Flames' season-high 16 steals.

Over UIC's 10-game winning streak, Grant is averaging 18.2 points per game and is shooting 43.4 percent from the field. Miller has also found her stride in the stretch, pouring in 11.1 points per game to go along with 4.3 rebounds.

On the season, the Flames lead all Horizon League teams in steals per game at 10.69 and place second in turnover margin (+4.27). Grant, the team's leading scorer, is fourth in the League in scoring (15.3), while fellow seniors Jacquay Holmes (11.1, 13th) and Krystal Hugelier (10.4, 14th) also rank in the top 15 on the loop chart. In League play, Grant has increased her scoring average to 17.5, ranking her third in the conference.

UIC heads to Detroit to face the Titans on Saturday afternoon in the team's only game this week.

Butler (11-13; 8-4 HL)
Butler picked up a 77-64 victory over Detroit on Saturday in the Bulldogs' only game last week.

Sophomore Lade Akande led the team in scoring for the third-consecutive game, posting 20 points on eight-of-14 shooting. Senior Jackie Closser tallied double figures for the 15th-straight game and drained a three-pointer to give her 52 straight contests with at least one triple, the longest current streak in the NCAA and eight shy of the all-time Division I record (Kim MacMillan, Long Island, 2000-02). The Bulldogs won the battle on the boards (41-34) and turnovers (14-10), while never trailing in the contest. Freshman Mel Thornton also posted 10 points for the second-straight game to go along with nine rebounds.

On the statistical charts, Closser paces the loop in minutes played (37.08) and three-pointers made (2.54), while placing second in free-throw shooting (.845) and fourth in assists (4.04).

Butler has hit an average of 7.7 three-pointers per outing, good for eighth in the nation, while its 15.0 turnovers per contest rank 28th according the Feb. 16 NCAA statistics release.

This week, the Bulldogs head to Wisconsin as they face UW-Milwaukee on Thursday and UW-Green Bay on Saturday. Thursday's winner will own sole possession of third place in the Horizon League standings.

UW-Milwaukee (12-13; 8-4 HL)
UWM split a pair of contests in Ohio last week, falling 57-54 to Cleveland State on Thursday then notching a 76-70 victory over Youngstown State on Saturday.

The Panthers were held to 30.0 percent (15-of-50) shooting from the field and a mere 20.8 percent (five-of-24) shooting from long distance in the loss to CSU. Sophomore Traci Edwards was the only player in double figures with 16 points.

Edwards made sure UW-Milwaukee got back on the winning track with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday's victory. She was joined in double digits by junior Meredith Onson (15), senior Aubrey Hampton (12) and sophomore Jody Crumble (11). The team shot a torrid 52.2 percent (24-of-46) from the floor in the contest.

On the statistical charts, Edwards tops the circuit in scoring (20.4) and rebounding (9.7), while placing second in field-goal percentage (.590) and blocked shots (1.50). As a team, Milwaukee leads the loop in rebounding margin (+2.0), while placing third in three-point field goals made (6.16 per contest), assists (16.00) and field-goal percentage (.429).

With the 38 points last week, Edwards pulled within 11 points of becoming the 15th member of Milwaukee's 1000-point club. If she gets those 11 points over the next 13 games, she would reach the mark faster than any player in school history. She is also on pace to become the first Panther ever and the first League player since 2002-03 (Tiffany Webb, Wright State - 24.1) to average 20 points per game for an entire season.

UW-Milwaukee hosts Butler (Thursday) and Wright State (Saturday) this week in the team's final regular-season games at the Klotsche Center this season.

Wright State (7-16; 5-7 HL)
In a slow week, the Raiders defeated Detroit, 65-54, on Thursday at the Nutter Center.

WSU shot just 30.2 percent (16-of-53) in the contest, but made 29-of-36 free-throws en route to the win. Senior Brittney Whiteside led the charge with 20 points, hitting 14-of-16 from the charity stripe. The team held UDM to 38.5 percent (20-of-52) shooting and scored 22 points off of the Titans' 32 turnovers. Freshman Erica Richardson had her best game of the season as she came off the bench and hit six of seven shots and made three of five from the foul line in scoring 15 points in as many minutes. Senior Steph Comisar also pitched in 12 points and a season-high six steals.

WSU has done its work on the defensive side of the ball this season, ranking second in the League in steals (9.13). Individually, freshman Kanisha Ward places fourth (1.64) and junior Danielle Duncan is fifth (1.57).

Whiteside is currently the only player in the League that places in the top ten in scoring (ninth with 14.0), rebounding (sixth with 5.7) and assists (fifth with 3.53). In her career, she has scored 1,353 points, which only trails Jodi Martin (2,055 from 1979-83) in WSU history.

After playing their only home game in February last week, the Raiders close out the road portion of its schedule this week in taking on UW-Green Bay on Thursday and UW-Milwaukee on Saturday.

Youngstown State (7-17; 5-8 HL)
The Penguins dropped a pair of game last week to UW-Green Bay (74-62) on Thursday and UW-Milwaukee (76-70) on Saturday.

Although four different YSU players scored in double figures on Thursday, it was not enough for the team to overcome nationally-ranked UW-Green Bay. Junior transfer Heather Karner scored a team-high 17 points on six-of-10 shooting. Classmate Lauren Branson dished out seven assists and committed only two turnovers in the contest.

On Saturday, the Penguins lost their first game when leading or being tied at halftime. In a game that saw 11 lead changes, sophomore Monique Godfrey tallied a career-high 21 points, draining four-of-seven triples. The team did edge the Panthers on the glass (37-34), but were unable to tame the UWM offense as it converted on 52.2 percent of its shots. Branson once again handed out seven helpers, pushing her career total to 304. She is now seven shy of moving into YSU's all-time list.

As a team, YSU has averaged a League-best 3.50 blocks per contest. Individually, Karner places 10th in the conference in scoring (11.8) and Godfrey places 11th (11.6), while sophomore Nikita LaFleur ranks third in blocked shots (1.27).

Youngstown State makes the trip west to Cleveland to take on the Vikings in the Penguins' only game this week.

Loyola (6-18; 4-9 HL)
The Ramblers fell 72-63 at the hands of Chicago rival UIC last week. Of Loyola's five road losses in the Horizon League this season, four have come by 10 points or less, including a one-point loss at UWM and a two-point setback at Youngstown State.

LU shot the ball well throughout the game versus the Flames, holding a .483-.324 edge in shooting over UIC but could not overcome the Flames' advantage at the free throw line. UIC converted 23-of-30 free throws while the Ramblers only attempted 15, making 11. Freshman Maggie McCloskey led the team with 13 points, while Marquise Hanser also hit for double digits at 12 points.

This season, Real has connected on a League-best 61.5 percent of her shots from the floor for an average of 14.4 points per contest. According to the latest statistics release by the NCAA (Feb. 16), she holds the sixth-best shooting percentage in the country.

McCloskey also finds herself on the loop's statistical charts sharing the top spot in three-pointers made (2.54) and placing second in assists (4.25). She is the only freshman in the top five of either category.

On the season, Loyola owns the loop's second-best marks in free-throw average (.756) and field-goal percentage (.442).

The Ramblers again only have a single game this week as the team travels to Detroit for a Thursday matchup.

Cleveland State (7-19; 4-9 HL)
Cleveland State snapped a six-game losing streak against UW-Milwaukee, using solid defense to pull out a 57-54 victory on Thursday before giving nationally-ranked UW-Green Bay all it could handle in a 69-66 loss on Saturday.

The Vikings limited UWM to 30.0 percent (15-of-50) shooting from the field and 20.8 percent (five-of-24) from three-point territory. After allowing Panther sophomore Traci Edwards to score 42 points in the first meeting between the schools, CSU held the League's leading scorer to 16 points on four-of-seven shooting. Senior Chenara Wilson tied her career high with 18 points, while freshman Angel Roque also tied her career mark with 10 points.

Saturday's contest went down to the wire as the Vikings nearly took down the Phoenix. Charging back from a 13-point second-half deficit, Cleveland State matched UWGB's 42 percent shooting and out-rebounded the Phoenix 44-27. The offense was led by freshman Kailey Klein's 16 points. Senior Nicole Thomas also had a solid game, finishing with 11 points and 12 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season.

As a team, the Vikings top the Horizon League in rebounds per game (38.9) with senior Nicole Thomas leading the attack at 7.2 per outing, good for second in the circuit. Klein currently ranks second among freshmen in scoring (10.2), trailing only Loyola's Maggie McCloskey (10.4).

CSU closes out its three-game homestand and its regular season home schedule against Youngstown State on Saturday.

Detroit (4-23; 1-13 HL)
The Titans' losing streak was pushed to 11 games as UDM lost to Wright State (65-54) on Thursday and Butler (77-64) on Saturday.

On Thursday, Detroit offense was led by junior Joyce Massey's 19 points and nine rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome a season-high 32 turnovers by the team. Wright State converted those turnovers into 22 points. UDM also put the Raiders on the foul line 36 times on 24 fouls.

The Titans improved their shooting (43.5 to 38.5 percent) and protected the ball (32 turnovers to 14), but it was not enough to take down the Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday. Detroit committed 24 fouls again, resulting in 30 Butler free-throw attempts. Sophomore Katy Dunlop had 12 points and freshman Heather Hatter added 11 as they were the only Titans to score in double digits.

Massey ranks fifth in the conference in scoring (15.2) and is third in rebounding (6.8).

The current 11-game losing streak matches the longest since the team lost the first 17 games of the 1987-88 season.

This week, the Titans finish up League play with Loyola (Thursday) and UIC (Saturday) coming to Calihan Hall.

Valparaiso (16-10; Joins HL in 2007-08)
The Crusaders picked up two victories last week, downing IUPUI, 65-54, on Monday before dropping Western Illinois, 58-46, on Saturday.

Four different players scored in double figures for Valparaiso on Monday evening as the team finished up the road portion of its schedule. Senior Betsy Rietema led the way with 17 points while classmate Carrie Myers added five triples for 15 points.

Trailing by seven at halftime, Valpo's bench scored 26 of the Crusaders' 37 second half points to guide the team to a victory over Western Illinois. Sophomore Launa Hochstetler scored a career high 21 points, including 16 in the second half, while freshman Whitney Farris added career best 13 points in the contest to pace the Crusaders.

Senior Tamra Braun ranks first in the Mid-Continent Conference in field-goal percentage (.584), second in blocks (1.58) and third in rebounding (8.6). As a team, Valpo leads all Mid-Con teams in three-point field-goal percentage (.377) and three-pointers made (6.73 per contest).

Valparaiso steps out of conference to take on Chicago State on Monday before UMKC visits Northwest Indiana on Saturday.