March 19, 2006

The Marquette women's basketball team continues play in the Women's National Invitation Tournament tomorrow night, when it travels to Ames, Iowa. to face Iowa State (18-12). The Golden Eagles (19-10) won their first round game of the WNIT on Friday night, 64-44, against Illinois at the Al McGuire Center.

In its last game, four MU players scored in double-figures, led by 15 points apiece from Christina Quaye and Krystal Ellis. Danielle Kamm added 14 points while Marissa Thrower had 10 points off the bench for the Golden Eagles.

"I was extremely pleased with the way our players came out against Illinois." said head coach Terri Mitchell. "The potential to be rusty because of the long layoff was a concern, but was not a factor due to our energy and focus."

Marquette held Illinois to just 30.9% shooting for the game and just 44 points, while tallying 11 steals as a team.

"We addressed our defense in the practices following the BIG EAST tournament and we stepped it up big-time against Illinois. I thought it was the difference for us last time out" Mitchell added.

Iowa State, which plays in the Big 12 Conference, advanced to tomorrow's game after downing Wis.-Green Bay, 79-71 in overtime, in Ames on Thursday night. Brittany Wilkins scored a career-high 30 points, while also pulling down 16 rebounds. Lyndsey Medders (16.5) and Wilkins (16.2) rank first and second, respectively, in scoring for the Cyclones. Medders is tops on the team - and in the nation - in assists (7.8), while Wilkins is tops on ISU in rebounding (9.0).

"Iowa State is a very talented team. They have an excellent point guard who runs their offense, they're tough inside and well-coached." Mitchell stated. "It will be a challenging game, so we'll have to come out with the same focus and intensity as Friday night."

The game can be heard live on Marquette student radio, beginning at 7 p.m.