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Jan. 28, 2006

MILWAUKEE - Freshman Krystal Ellis scored a game-high 16 points, while fellow classmates Erin Monfre and Marissa Thrower tallied 12 and eight points, respectively, as Marquette beat Seton Hall, 72-51, in front of 2,082 fans at the Al McGuire Center tonight. The trio of newcomers combined for half (36) of the Golden Eagles' 72 points in the game.

Ellis also added five rebounds, three assists and a career-best five steals, while Monfre connected on 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Thrower was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field.

"At this time of year, it is nice to see players step up and help our team win." said head coach Terri Mitchell. "Obviously, we have tremendous leadership with our upperclassmen, but tonight I think our freshmen took another step in learning, growing and understanding on the court. They were different makers out there, scoring, making the right passes, and playing solid defense."

"Early on this season, as is the case with all freshmen, they had to adjust to the different level and commitment required to play at this level. " Mitchell added. "But as they've grown, they're learning, understanding, contributing, and what had been new to them is now routine."

MU started off slow, hitting just two field goals in the first five minutes of play, while committing three turnovers. But after the first media timeout at the 14:01 mark, MU began to hit its stride.

"Coach just told us to keep playing hard and to keep playing with energy." said Thrower. "I think we all came together and picked it up after that."

Marquette went on a mini-run 6-2 over the next 2:10, capped by a Christina Quaye layup which gave MU its first lead of the game at 10-9. After back-to-back three's by Monfre and Carolyn Kieger, the Golden Eagles had gone on another 6-2 run, taking a 16-11 lead with 10:42 left in the half.

Seton Hall cut it to one (18-17) with 7:05 to go, but the hot-shooting Monfre connected on two more from beyond the arc, helping pace Marquette to a 37-27 lead at the break.

"You have to give my teammates credit, they found me when I was open and I was able to knock down my shots." said Monfre, who had entered the game in a bit of shooting slump, entering the game having connected on just 7-of-41 (.171) from the perimeter.

After the two teams traded baskets to open the second half, the Golden Eagles opened it up, outscoring SHU 15-4 over the next 10:00 of play. Ellis' two free throws made it 52-33 with 10:14 to play. A layup by Ellis with 2:35 to play gave MU its biggest lead of the game - 22 points - at 68-46.

"We as a staff weren't happy with the lack of energy the team showed at Villanova on Wednesday, so we aimed to correct that tonight." Mitchell said. "We started off the game a bit slow and I reminded them that they just needed to play. We're better when we just play and not overanalyze what we're doing. Once we got through that phase, we were fine."

Svetlana Kovalenko added seven points and four assists, while Kieger had seven points, six assists and five rebounds. Quaye and Danielle Kamm each tallied seven points. MU's bench combined to score 31 points.

Marquette shot 52.0% for the game, including 6-of-14 from beyond the arc, and were 14-of-19 from the charity stripe. They had 20 assists to their 26 field goals and committed just 13 turnovers.

In a ceremony at halftime, Marquette honored former standout guard Kristen Maskala '94 by retiring her #22 jersey. In three seasons, Maskala compiled 1,745 points - good for third all-time on MU's career scoring list. Also, her 19.6 points per game is the best career scoring average in program history. The 1994 GTE Academic All-American of the Year, Maskala continued onto medical school after graduating from Marquette and is currently an orthopedic surgeon in West Bend, Wis.

Marquette's next game is on Tuesday, when it hosts Providence at 7 p.m. Fans attending Tuesday's game are encouraged to wear pink to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sport Day (NGWS). NGWS day was chartered by Congress in 1986 to honor female athletic achievement and recognize the importance of sports and fitness participation for all girls and women. Also, there will be pink Marquette women's basketball t-shirts and hats for sale at the game, with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Awareness & Milwaukee Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Program. (MBCCAP) Pam Kruse - the 2006 Milwaukee Women's Sports Leader of the Year - will be honored at halftime for her commitment to girls' athletics and physical education at Milwaukee's Washington High School.