2005-06 WIAC Women's Basketball Headlines

2005-06 WIAC Women's Basketball Headlines

WIAC Led NCAA Division III in Women's Basketball Attendance in 2005-06; Men Finished Third

RELEASED: Friday, August 11, 2006

Madison, Wis.--The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) led the NCAA Division III in women's basketball attendance during the 2005-06 season, while finishing third in the national standings in men's basketball attendance, according to figures recently distributed by the NCAA.

The nine league schools had 50, 420 spectators attend 105 women's games last season for an average of 480 per contest. UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire finished second and seventh, respectively in the individual standings. The Blue Devils had 15,242 persons attend 13 home games, while the Blugolds registered 10,064 individuals in 12 home dates.

The WIAC also led the NCAA Division III in women's basketball attendance during the 2002-03 season.

On the men's side, the conference placed third nationally after accumulating 89,604 spectators in 112 games for an average of 800 per contest. The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference placed first after drawing 107,400 individuals in 87 games.

UW-Stevens Point finished seventh in the men's race with an audience of 15,154 in 11 home contests.

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UW-Stout's Duoss Named WBCA and D3hoops.com All-American

RELEASED: Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout's Kelsey Duoss has been named to the 2006 NCAA Division III Kodak/WBCA All-America First Team and D3hoops.com All-America First Team.

The Kodak team is a joint effort between the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Eastman Kodak Company. This year's team marks the 24th year of the Division III Kodak/WBCA All-America Basketball Team, which began in 1983. Selection committees in each of the eight WBCA geographical regions select ten of the top women's basketball players in the nation to be honored.

Duoss, a junior center from Janesville, Wis. (Clinton H.S.), was named the WIAC Player of the Year after leading the conference in scoring (19.0), while ranking second in rebounding (9.3), blocked shots (2.79) and field goal percentage (.624). Her .624 field goal percentage placed fourth in the NCAA Division III this year.

Duoos had an impressive year where she: registered a league-best 13 double-doubles; finished the season with 552 points, second on UW-Stout's single season scoring list behind Julie Maki's 575; had 269 rebounds, fifth on UW-Stout's single season list; recorded 81 blocked shots, second behind her 97 blocked shots from last season; has 956 career points in only two seasons with the Blue Devils; is a two-time all-WIAC pick and a two-time all-WIAC defensive team pick.

Duoss is only the second Blue Devil to ever be named as a Kodak All-American First Team recipient. Maki earned the same honor during the 1992-93 season. Cindy Hovet was an honorable mention selection in 1993-94.

Duoss was joined on the WBCA team by Erika Eisenhut (Union College, N.Y.), Eileen Flaherty (Bowdoin College, Maine), Anna Heikenen (College of St. Benedict, Minn.), Sara Heitkamp (Capital University, Ohio), Kelly Manning (Washington University, Mo.), Ashley Marble (University of Southern Maine), Taryn Mellody (University of Scranton, Pa.), Megan Silva (Randolph-Macon College, Va.) and Leigh Sulkowski (Washington & Jefferson, Pa.).

Also receiving honors on the D3hoops.com first team were: Flaherty, Marble, Silva and Sulkowski.

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UW-Stevens Point's Egner to Receive WBCA Victory Club Award

RELEASED: Monday, March 20, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Shirley Egner will receive a Victory Club Award from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) after winning her 400th career game last season.

The award includes victories from both the high school and collegiate levels. Egner has a 291-152 record in 17 seasons at UW-Stevens Point. She also won 115 games in three seasons at Waunakee High School and 25 games in stints at Shiocton and Monona Grove High Schools. Egner led the Pointers to the 2002 NCAA Division III championship and a final four appearance in 2004. She also guided Waunakee to state tournament appearances in 1986 and 1987.

Egner’s 400th win came in a 59-46 win at Aurora on Jan. 11, 2005. The award is sponsored by Russell Athletic and presented to each head coach who wins more than 200 games in 100 victory increments. The award will be presented at the National Coach of the Year luncheon at the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Boston.

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Two Claim D3hoops.com All-Region Women's Basketball First Team Honors

RELEASED: Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Madison, Wis.--Two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball players have claimed first team honors on the 2006 D3hoops.com All-Central Region Team. UW-Stevens Point's Cassandra Schultz and UW-Stout's Kelsey Duoss were both acknowledged for their efforts this season.

Schultz, a senior guard from Hartford, Wis., claimed first team status for the second straight season after placing second in the league in assists (4.63), fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.406), fifth in scoring (14.3), sixth in steals (2.00) and seventh in field goal percentage (.474) and three-point field goals made (1.44). She is the fourth player in WIAC history and first in school history to record more than 1,200 points and 400 assists. Her 1,241 career points rank eighth in school history and her 423 assists rank third all-time.

The D3hoops.com All-Central Region Team is comprised of individuals from teams that represent the WIAC, College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Lake Michigan Conference, Midwest Conference, Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference, St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, University Athletic Association and Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.

Players were nominated by the sports information directors at the various schools. A total of 596 players were nominated nationwide.

The ballot was then made available to SIDs, who voted for 10 players in their region. SIDs voted for six frontcourt players and four backcourt players and the top vote-getters at each position were named to the All-Region team.

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UW-Stout Comeback Falls Short in "Sweet 16" Matchup

RELEASED: Friday, March 10, 2006

Tacoma, Wash.--Randolph-Macon College (Va.) took away UW-Stout's inside game in the first half and ballooned a lead to as much as 26 points midway through the second half, only to see UW-Stout cut the lead to as little as four points with less than a minute to play before taking an 80-71 victory in the NCAA Division III Sectional semifinal game on March 10.

The game was going reasonably well for the Blue Devils (22-8) early, but the Yellow Jackets (28-2), last year's NCAA Division III runner-up, took control with a 33-8 run to close out the first half. Megan Silva, the Jostens' Division III player of the year, proved to be just about everything as advertised as she poured in 13 first half points, had three assists, two blocked shots and three steals.

Randolph-Macon denied the ball inside numerous times as the Blue Devils' Kelsey Duoss was held to five first half points and the Yellow Jackets took a 44-20 halftime lead.

UW-Stout did come out firing in the second half, cutting the lead to 12 points, going on a 12-0 run with Duoss matching her first half production with five points during the run. But then it was Randolph Macon's turn to go on a run and they went on a 14-0 run with Silva popping in eight points in that run for a 60-34 lead with 12:05 left in the game.

The Blue Devils looked like they were done, but UW-Stout began to chip away and it was the Geissler sisters that did much of the chipping. Lindsey Geissler scored 13 of her 18 points in the final 11 minutes and big sister Amanda Geissler scored seven of her 11 points during that stretch. Duoss would also do some damage with seven points in the final run to finish the night with 19 points.

UW-Stout pulled to with four points, 73-69, with two free throws by Duoss with 51 seconds left to play. UW-Stout was forced to foul and the Yellow Jackets responded by making 7-of-8 free throws to take the prize.

The night belonged to Randoph-Macon and Silva, who led all scorers with 28 points, hitting 11-of-21 shots from the floor, with two 3-pointers and four free throws. Michelle Orton scored 11 points, but tossed in eight in the first half.

UW-Stout outrebounded Randolph-Macon, but much of that came on grabbing missed shots. UW-Stout pulled down 49 rebounds - Duoss had 13, nine in the second half - to the Yellow Jackets' 36. UW-Stout had 27 offensive rebounds to 14 for Randolph-Macon. But many of those rebounds came in the first half as UW-Stout shot only 19 percent from the floor, while RMC was shooting 54 percent. UW-Stout improved in the second half to make 49 percent of their shots to finish the game at 35 percent. The Yellow Jackets hit 54.3 percent in the first half, 44.4 percent in the second half to finish at an even 50 percent (31-of-62).

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UW-Stout to Travel to Washington for NCAA Women's Basketball Sectional

RELEASED: Monday, March 6, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout will be making its second consecutive trip to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. The Blue Devils will meet Randolph-Macon College (Va.) Friday, March 10 in Tacoma, Wash. on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University. The time is yet to be determined.

The winner of the UW-Stout/Randolph-Macon contest will face the winner of Pacific Lutheran/Hardin-Simmons (Texas) in a sectional final game on Saturday, March 11.

UW-Stout is ranked 19th in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll and is receiving votes in the USA Today/ESPN Division III coaches poll. UW-Stout won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) regular and tournament championship for the second consecutive year.

Kelsey Duoss leads UW-Stout, and the WIAC, in scoring with 19.0 points, and is second in the WIAC in rebounds with 9.1. She ranks third in NCAA Division III in field goal percentage (.637).

Randolph-Macon (27-2) leads the NCAA Division III in scoring averaging 83.1 points. The Yellow Jackets are ranked seventh in both the D3hoops.com poll and in the USA Today/ESPN poll.

Located in Ashland, Va., the Yellow Jackets disposed of Hood College (Md.), 83-57, in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, then defeated Greensboro College (NC), 75-61, in the second round. RMC repeated as the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) champion with a 19-1 record.

Last season, the Yellow Jackets advanced to the NCAA Division III championship game where they were beaten by Millikin University (Ill.), the same team to bounce UW-Stout from the 2005 tournament.

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UW-Stout Beats Simpson in NCAA Women's Basketball Second Round

RELEASED: Saturday, March 4, 2006

Indianola, Iowa--University of Wisconsin-Stout beat Simpson College (Iowa), 78-68, in a NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament Second Round game on March 4.

The Blue Devils advance to the "Sweet 16" for the second straight season and will face Randolph-Macon (Va.) on March 10 at a site to be announced.

UW-Stout's Molly Hendricks hit a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in the game to push UW-Stout up, 75-68, then recorded two steals and two free throws to seal the win.

Hendricks was the story of the night as she finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, just missing a triple double with nine assists.

The Blue Devils dominated the first half of the game, running off to a 41-27 halftime lead as Hendricks and Joanna Bird each scored eight first half points.

But the Storm lived up to their name, storming back in the second half to take the lead, 60-59, on a Sarah Pearson jumper with eight minutes left in the game. The Storm built up a three point lead, but Lindsey Geissler cut the deficit to 62-61 with two free throws and Kelsey Duoss put UW-Stout up for good, 63-62, with two charity shots at 6:32.

A bucket by Duoss and a 3-pointer by Hendricks put UW-Stout up by six, but Simpson kept coming back on a jumper by Katelyn Whiton and two free throws by Tessa VanOosbree to pull to within 68-66.

Duoss stretched the lead to four, but again two Simpson free throws, this time by Carlie Beals, brought Simpson back to within two, 70-68, with 1:38 remaining. Duoss worked her way free again to stretch the lead to four before Hendricks shifted into high gear.

Duoss matched Hendricks with 19 points and Geissler finished with 11 points for UW-Stout. The Blue Devils shot 52 percent in the first half and finished the game shooting 43 percent.

Simpson got 13 points from Beals and Heather Kay and 12 points from Whiton. Simpson shot 50 percent in the second half and finished the game shooting 38 percent. UW-Stout held a 45-39 edge in rebounding.

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UW-Stout Rolls Over Concordia-Moorhead in NCAA Women's Basketball First Round

RELEASED: Friday, March 3, 2006

Indianola, Iowa--University of Wisconsin-Stout rolled off a 61-37 win over Concordia-Moorhead College (Minn.) in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.

The Blue Devils will face either Simpson College (Iowa) or College of St. Benedict (Minn.) in the second round on Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m.

UW-Stout held Concordia to their lowest point total of the season and held the Cobbers' leading scorer, Melanie Hageman, to only six points, 10 points under her season average. UW-Stout's pressure caused trouble all night as the Blue Devils numerous times forced Concordia to beat the shot clock or take a shot clock violation.

While Kelsey Duoss, the WIAC player of the year, didn't have an overpowering game on the scoreboard, finishing with a game-high 13 points, she was a defensive force, blocking six shots and pulling down seven rebounds.

UW-Stout's bench contributed immensely to the win, scoring 29 points. Joanna Bird led the bench players with 11 points, going 3-of-3 from 3-point range.

Savanah Oeltjen and Duoss keyed a strong first half that saw UW-Stout jump to as much as a 12 point lead. Oeltjen scored six first half points, four coming early, including the shot that pushed Stout ahead for good, 9-8, with eight minutes off the clock. Oeltjen's bucket started a 15-2 run and the Cobbers only briefly got the score under 10 a couple of times during the rest of the game, the last time coming at the 14:42 mark of the second half when Emily Swierenga drained a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 36-27.

But Bird answered that seconds later with a 3-pointer of her own and UW-Stout ran off on a 12-4 run. Oeltjen finished the night with eight points, while Jenny McDermid contributed nine points.

UW-Stout shot 50.4 percent in the first half and finished shooting 45.1 percent (23-of-51) for the game, including dropping in 6-of-15 3-pointers. Concordia shot 29.8 percent for the game (14-of-47). Jenna Freudenberg was the Concordia's only player in double figures, finishing with 11.

UW-Stout held an advantage off the glass, pulling down 37 to 29 for Concordia.

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FSN North to Televise WIAC Men's and Women's Basketball Championships and Men's Wrestling Championships

RELEASED: Thursday, March 2, 2006

Madison, Wis.--FSN North has reached an agreement to televise the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (WIAC) men's and women's basketball championship games and the WIAC's men's wrestling championships.

2006 WIAC Championships Telecast Schedule
Championship Date Time
Women's Basketball--Saturday, March 11, 2006 (tape delay) 1:00 p.m.
Men's Basketball--Sunday, March 12, 2006 (tape delay) 5:00 p.m.
Wrestling--Saturday, April 1, 2006 (tape delay) 1:00 p.m.

All of the WIAC championships on FSN North will be produced by Madison-based When We Were Young Productions.

Mitch Henk will call the play-by-play and former University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point head basketball coach Jack Bennett will provide analysis for the men's basketball championship game. Bob Bradovich (sports anchor for WQOW in Eau Claire, WI) will handle the play-by-play duties and Lois Heeren (head women's basketball coach at UW-La Crosse) provides color for the women's basketball championship game.

The wrestling play-by-play announcer is Joe Miller and former Wisconsin All-America Kevin Black offers analysis.

"The WIAC is extremely excited about the opportunity to showcase three of its premier championships on Fox Sports Net North to a statewide television audience," said WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner. "While the WIAC enjoys great fan support and interest from our statewide media, these telecasts represent a significant step in what we anticipate will lead to many more WIAC championship and regular-season events appearing on FSN North in the future."

FSN North reaches more than 3 million homes throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota and telecasts nearly 2,600 hours of locally produced programming per year. The Emmy Award-winning regional sports network provides comprehensive coverage of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks, MLB's Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers, the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx well as the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin athletic events.

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) is composed of nine prominent NCAA Division III Wisconsin universities, including UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout, UW-Superior, and UW-Whitewater.

-FSN NORTH-

UW-Stout's Duoss Tops All-WIAC Women's Basketball Team

RELEASED: Thursday, March 2, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout's Kelsey Duoss was voted the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Year to top the 10 individuals selected to the all-WIAC Women's Basketball First Team by the league coaches.

Duoss secured first team status for the second straight year after leading the Blue Devils to their second straight WIAC regular season and tournament titles and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. She leads the conference in scoring (19.3), while ranking second in rebounding (9.4), blocked shots (2.42) and field goal percentage (.637). Duoss has led the team in scoring in 25 of 26 games that she has played this year and also reached double figures in scoring in 48 of 57 career contests. She had a career-best 31 points against Minnesota State-Mankato on November 18 and has surpassed the 20-point plateau in 12 games.

Duoss has compiled a league-leading 12 double-doubles and her 501 points rank second on the school's single-season chart. She holds the school career record with 160 blocked shots.

Duoss becomes the third player in school history to claim the player of the year prize, joining Cindy Hovet (1994) and Julie Maki (1993).

Joining Duoss on the first team is teammate Molly Hendricks, who leads the WIAC in assist/turnover ratio (1.54), while placing fourth in steals (2.33) and three-point field goals made (1.74), fifth in assists (3.70) and eighth in three-point field goal percentage (.346). She tied a school record with 11 assists against Minnesota State-Mankato on November 18 and has played in 112 games in her four-year career - the most by any player in school history.

UW-Oshkosh landed a league-best three individuals on the first team after claiming a share of the WIAC championship and posting double-digits in conference victories (12) for the 19th straight season.

Shannon Eggers claimed first team honors for the second straight year after leading the WIAC in assists (4.70), while ranking second in three-point field goal percentage (.420), third in blocked shots (0.96), fourth in scoring (14.3), fifth in steals (2.04) and assist/turnover ratio (1.19), sixth in free throw percentage (.824) and minutes played (32.07) and 10th in three-point field goals made (1.37).

Brittany Herrick also secured first team status for the second consecutive season after placing second in the conference in scoring (16.4), third in rebounding (6.7), fourth in field goal percentage (.523) and free throw percentage (.829), eighth in blocked shots (0.74) and minutes played (31.07). She started all 27 games and led the Titans in scoring in 12 contests.

Kelly O'Keef tops the league in three-point field goal percentage (.493) and three-point field goals made (2.96), while placing 10th in scoring (12.2) and field goal percentage (.466). Her .493 three-point field goal percentage established a WIAC single-season record, while her 74 three-pointers made are the fourth-highest mark in league annals.

UW-La Crosse's Mackenzie Hunter is the first freshman to claim first team status since UW-River Falls' Holly Spoo in 1995. Hunter leads the conference in free throw percentage (.859), while placing ninth in steals (1.78). Her .859 free throw percentage is the third-best mark in league history and she led the Eagles in scoring in 10 games.

UW-Platteville's Holly Kaiser ranks second in the WIAC in minutes played (35.08), seventh in scoring (13.8) and eighth in steals (1.80). She finished her career as the most accurate shooter in Pioneer history, making 48.3 percent of her shots from the field, while ranking third with a career 68.4 free throw shooting percentage and 10th with 947 career points. Kaiser was a honorable mention choice in 2005.

UW-River Falls' Traci Reimann leads the league in rebounding (10.5), while ranking sixth in scoring (14.2) and field goal percentage (.496), seventh in minutes played (31.86) and 10th in steals (1.76). She ranks second in the WIAC with nine double-doubles and led the Falcons in scoring in nine games. Reimann was a honorable mention pick a year ago.

UW-Stevens Point's Cassandra Schultz secured first team accolades for the second straight season. She ranks second in the WIAC in assists (4.63), fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.406), fifth in scoring (14.3), sixth in steals (2.00), seventh in field goal percentage (.474) and three-point field goals made (1.44) and 10th in assist/turnover ratio (0.99). Schultz is the fourth player in league history, and first player in school archives, to record 1,200 points and 400 assists in a career.

UW-Whitewater's Amy Morris places fifth in the conference in free throw percentage (.827), seventh in three-point field goal percentage (.347) and ninth in scoring (12.9). She led the Warhawks in scoring in 11 games, including a career-high 27 points against UW-Superior on February 4.

UW-La Crosse's Lois Heeren and UW-Stout's Mark Thomas were voted co-Coaches of the Year for their efforts during the season, marking the first time in league history that the coaching honor has been shared. Heeren led the Eagles to the most wins (19) since the 1987-88 squad finished with 22 and the most league victories (9) since the 1987-88 team compiled a school record 12. Heeren is in her seventh season at UW-La Crosse and owns a 73-105 record (.410 winning percentage).

Thomas claimed the league coaching honor for the second consecutive season and fifth time in his career (2006, 2005, 2002, 1997, 1993). He is the first individual in conference history to win the award in back-to-back seasons. Thomas led the Blue Devils to the WIAC regular season and tournament titles for the second straight year. He is in his 19th season at UW-Stout and is the conference's all-time wins leader with a 330-173 record (.656 winning percentage).

Named to the honorable mention team were: UW-Eau Claire's Heidi Arciszewski and Rachel Becker, UW-La Crosse's Abby Johnson, UW-Platteville's Liz Tesch, UW-River Falls' Melanie Preiner, UW-Stevens Point's Nathalie Lechault and UW-Superior's Katie Moench.

The league coaches also recognized a five-member all-defensive team. Individuals receiving recognition included Duoss, Hendricks, Reimann, UW-Oshkosh's Becky Knapp and UW-Stevens Point's Nathalie Lechault. Duoss was acknowledged for the second straight year, while Lechault set a WIAC single-season record with 95 blocked shots.

2005-06 All-WIAC Women's Basketball Team
First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Height, Hometown (High School)
Kelsey Duoss, Stout, Junior, Forward, 6-2, Janesville (Clinton)
Shannon Eggers, Oshkosh, Senior, Guard, 5-11, Council Bluffs, Iowa (Lewis Central)
Molly Hendricks, Stout, Senior, Forward, 5-9, Blaine, Minn.
Brittany Herrick, Oshkosh, Senior, Forward, 6-0, Appleton (Xavier)
Mackenzie Hunter, La Crosse, Freshman, Guard/Forward, 5-11, Eau Claire (Regis)
Holly Kaiser, Platteville, Senior, Forward, 5-10, Hazel Green (Southwestern)
Amy Morris, Whitewater, Senior, Forward, 5-8, Johnsburg, Ill.
Kelly O'Keef, Oshkosh, Senior, Guard, 5-10, Shorewood (Whitefish Bay Dominican)
Traci Reimann, River Falls, Junior, Center, 6-0, North Branch, Minn.
Cassandra Schultz, Stevens Point, Senior, Guard, 5-7, Hartford

Honorable Mention
Heidi Arciszewski, Eau Claire, Freshman, Guard, 5-9, Thorp
Rachel Becker, Eau Claire, Senior, Guard, 5-7, Gilmanton
Abby Johnson, La Crosse, Junior, Forward/Center, 5-11, Prescott
Nathalie Lechault, Stevens Point, Junior, Center, 6-2, Chavannes de Bogis, Switzerland (Int'l School of Geneva)
Katie Moench, Superior, Junior, Guard, 5-6, Superior
Melanie Preiner, River Falls, Junior, Guard, 5-6, Stillwater, Minn.
Liz Tesch, Platteville, Junior, Center, 6-0, Dorchester (Colby)

All-Defensive Team
Kelsey Duoss, Stout, Junior, Forward, 6-2, Janesville (Clinton)
Molly Hendricks, Stout, Senior, Forward, 5-9, Blaine, Minn.
Becky Knapp, Oshkosh, Junior, Guard, 5-6, West Allis (Hale)
Nathalie Lechault, Stevens Point, Junior, Center, 6-2, Chavannes de Bogis, Switzerland (Int'l School of Geneva)
Traci Reimann, River Falls, Junior, Center, 6-0, North Branch, Minn.

Player of the Year: Kelsey Duoss of Stout
Judy Kruckman Co-Scholar-Athletes: Holly Kaiser of Platteville and Molly Ray of Superior
Co-Coaches of the Year: Lois Heeren of La Crosse and Mark Thomas of Stout

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UW-Platteville's Kaiser and UW-Superior's Ray Secure Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award

RELEASED: Thursday, March 2, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Holly Kaiser and UW-Superior's Molly Ray have been named 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Basketball Co-Scholar-Athletes.

Kaiser, a senior from Hazel Green, Wis. (Southwestern H.S.), is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-physical therapy and boasts a 3.94 grade point average. She is a two-time CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five selection, capturing first team recognition this year and second team status in 2005. Kaiser is a three-time selection to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-Platteville's Dean's List and Chancellor's List numerous semesters.

As a team captain this year, Kaiser claimed all-WIAC first team honors after securing honorable mention status in 2005. She has led her team in scoring the past two seasons.

Kaiser is a member of Beta Beta Beta and UW-Platteville's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She has also worked in the school's Dining Services Accounting Office the last four years.

A senior from Two Harbors, Minn., Ray maintains a 3.66 grade point average and is majoring in physical education - corporate community health. She is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-Superior's Dean's List on numerous occasions. Ray has also been the recipient of many academic scholarships from her institution.

Ray, a team captain this season, has been a four-year starter for the Yellowjackets and received her team's Most Improved Player honor for the 2004-05 season. She also earned UW-Superior's Most Dedicated Female Athlete Award a year ago. Ray has competed in women's volleyball for four years and track and field for two seasons.

Ray is a member of UW-Superior's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and serves as the organization's treasurer. She has been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club. Ray currently works as UW-Superior's Athletics Laundry Director and the Health and Wellness Center Student Supervisor.

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-Platteville's Emily Adrian, Rachel Korth and Abby Lalko, UW-River Falls' Miranda Biteler and UW-Stout's Steffanie Nemitz.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman, who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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UW-Stout to Face Concordia-Moorhead in NCAA Women's Basketball First Round Contest

RELEASED: Sunday, February 27, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout (20-7) will meet Concordia-Moorhead College (Minn.) (21-6) in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.

The two teams will square off on Friday, March 3 at Simpson College (Iowa) in Indianola, Iowa. Simpson (23-4) will host College of St. Benedict (Minn.) (21-5) in the other first round contest. The winners will compete in the second round Saturday, March 4 at Simpson.

UW-Stout earned an automatic bid into the 63-team field by winning the conference tournament. The Blue Devils are making their second straight NCAA tournament appearance and eighth overall (2006, 2005, 2002, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992).

Simpson (Iowa) NCAA Division III Women's Basketball First/Second Round Schedule:
Friday, March 3
UW-Stout (20-7) vs. Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) (21-6), 5:30 p.m.
St. Benedict (Minn.) (21-5) at Simpson (Iowa) (23-4), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 4
First Round winners, 7 p.m.

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UW-Stout Wins Second Consecutive Women's Basketball Tournament Title

RELEASED: Saturday, February 25, 2006

Menomonie, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women's Basketball Tournament title for the second consecutive year with a 84-70 victory over UW-Stevens Point at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The Blue Devils captured the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament with the victory.

The tournament crown is the third in school history (2006, 2005, 2002) and the Blue Devils join UW-Eau Claire as the only school to win back-to-back tournament titles. The Blugolds accomplished the feat in 2000 and 2001.

Molly Hendricks scored 15 points in the first half to lift UW-Stout to a 44-32 halftime lead. Hendricks wasted little time letting the Pointers know she was around. After Dani Boese gave UW-Stout a 2-0 lead a minute into the game, Hendricks banged home her first of three first half 3-pointers.

A steady attack built the lead to 16-10 when UW-Stout went on a 6-0 run, with a free throw and a bucket by Savanah Oeltjen and another 3-pointer by Hendricks stretched the lead to 22-10. The Pointers got the score to 22-15 on a 3-pointer by Cassandra Schultz and two free throws by Haley Houghton. The game stayed within seven points for much of the next six minutes before the Blue Devils went off on a 14-7 run to close out the half.

Hendricks signaled the start of UW-Stout's move in the second period, draining another 3-pointer at the 16:58 mark to put UW-Stout up 49-36.

Jenny McDermid went to work for the Blue Devils after she picked up her fourth foul of the game only seconds after Hendricks' 3-ball.

Over the course of the next four minutes, playing for Kelsey Duoss, who was in foul trouble, McDermid scored six points and finished the half with eight points. She ended the game with 10 points.

The Pointers were never out of this game, even thought they trailed by as much as 16 points. The Pointers' Schultz began to carry Stevens Point on her back, scored 15 points in the final 15 minutes of play. But the Pointers would get no closer than 10 points in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Both teams had four players in double digits, two starters and two bench players apiece.

The Pointers' Schultz took scoring honors with 20 points. Nathalie Lechault had 11 points, four blocked shots and nine rebounds, while Jesirae Heuer came off the bench for 12 points and Houghton came off the pines for 11 points.

Duoss led UW-Stout with 19 points and Hendricks finished with 18 for starters. Joanna Bird scored 10 points off the bench, including a big 3-pointer late in the game that basically took UW-Stevens Point out of comeback mode. McDermid backed up Duoss with 10 points.

UW-Stout shot 41 percent, and the Pointers shot 37 percent. UW-Stevens Point held a slight rebound advantage, 40-39.

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UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stout Share Women's Basketball Title

RELEASED: Saturday, February 18, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and UW-Stout will share the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women's Basketball Championship after both teams finished with 12-4 league marks following victories on February 18. UW-Oshkosh defeated UW-Platteville, 61-58 in overtime, at Kolf Sports Center in Oshkosh, while UW-Stout upended UW-La Crosse, 57-49, at Mitchell Hall in La Crosse. This marks the third consecutive season that the conference crown has been shared between two schools.

The league championship for the Titans is their second in the last three years and 11th in school history (2006, 2004, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1985). The 11 women' basketball titles are the most by a WIAC institution.

The conference title for the Blue Devils is their second straight and fourth in school history (2006, 2005, 2002, 1997).

The Blue Devils also secured the top seed for the WIAC Tournament after applying the league tie-breaking criteria and will host No. 8 UW-Whitewater, while UW-Oshkosh claimed the No. 2 seed and will host No. 7 UW-Platteville.

Other tournament quarterfinal matchups include No. 6 UW-Eau Claire at No. 3 UW-Stevens Point and No. 5 UW-River Falls at No. 4 UW-La Crosse.

In UW-Stout's victory over UW-La Crosse, the Eagles took a 2-0 lead on the first basket of the game, but the Blue Devils took a 15-8 lead with 13:07 remaining. UW-La Crosse came back to cut the deficit to 19-17 with 8:43 left in the opening half, but UW-Stout finished the half on a 10-4 run to lead 29-21.

UW-Stout led 31-22 with 16:27 remaining in the game when UW-La Crosse went on a 9-0 run to tie the game at 31-31 with 12:22 remaining. The Eagles took a 33-32 lead on a jumper from Abby Johnson with 10:50 left before Lindsey Geissler hit the Blue Devils' first field goal of the second half to give UW-Stout a 34-33 lead with 9:52 remaining. UW-Stout would never trail again.

The Blue Devils led 40-39 with 5:59 left and went on a 7-1 run to lead 47-40. The Eagles could get no closer than five the remainder of the game.

Kelsey Duoss tallied a game-high 21 points and 12 rebounds for UW-Stout, while Molly Hendricks and Dani Boese each chipped in eight points. It was Duoss' league-leading 12th double-double of the season.

Mackenzie Hunter led UW-La Crosse with 20 points, while Nicole Palmer added 15. Katy Searing had a team-high 10 rebounds.

UW-Stout shot 33.9% from the field and missed all 10 of its three-point attempts. The Blue Devils were 19-of-26 (73.1%) at the line.

UW-La Crosse shot 26.2% from the field, including 50.0% (five-of-10) from three-point range. The Eagles were 12-of-15 (80.0%) at the free throw line.

In UW-Oshkosh's victory over UW-Platteville, Kelly O'Keef made four free throws in the final 16 seconds to help hold off the Pioneers. Her first two gave the Titans a 59-56 advantage. After the Pioneers' Liz Tesch made a pair of free throws, O'Keef made two more with 11 seconds remaining for the 61-58 lead. The Pioneers' Lisa Grantman just missed a three-point shot in the final seconds that would have forced a second extra session.

UW-Platteville led for virtually all but the first five minutes of the game, but only once led by more than six points. The Titans tied the score at 41-41, but Jill Rajek scored inside and Kendall Christian knocked down a three-point basket for a five-point Pioneer advantage. UW-Oshkosh tied the game again at 49-49 on Shannon Eggers' layup with 33 seconds left. Brittany Herrick blocked Christian's layup attempt with five seconds to go. A Pioneer turnover led to a long Titan three-point attempt, which missed at the buzzer and led to overtime.

The Pioneers scored the first five points in overtime, on Christian's two free throws and a Grantman three-pointer before the Titans rallied.

Herrick scored a game-high 17 points to lead four Titans in double-figures. Eggers added 16 points and O'Keef and Becky Knapp contributed 11. Herrick also added a team-best eight rebounds.

Christian scored a career-high 16 points for UW-Platteville, while Grantman added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Tesch contributed 10 points and six rebounds.

UW-Platteville shot 41.3% from the field, including seven-of-16 from three-point range, while UW-Oshkosh converted 39.3% of its shots and registered a season-best 19 steals.

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UW-Stevens Point's Egner Moves into Second Place on League's All-Time Wins List

RELEASED: Monday, February 20, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point head coach Shirley Egner moved into second place on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) all-time wins list in the Pointers' 90-70 victory over UW-Superior on February 18 at Berg Gymnasium in Stevens Point, Wis.

Egner is in her 17th season with the Pointers and owns a 289-151 career record (65.7 winning percentage). In reaching the milestone, she surpassed UW-Oshkosh's Carol Anhalt, who compiled a 288-127 mark from 1972-89.

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Two Earn Women's Basketball Academic All-District Status

RELEASED: Thursday, February 9, 2006

Madison, Wis.--Two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball student-athletes have been named to the 2006 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women's Basketball Team. UW-Platteville's Holly Kaiser was named to the first team, while UW-Stevens Point's Nathalie Lechault was a second team selection.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Kaiser, a senior from Hazel Green, Wis. (Southwestern H.S.), is majoring in biology with a pre-physical therapy emphasis and boasts a 3.94 grade point average. She was an academic all-district second team choice last season. Kaiser has started all 21 games for the Pioneers this year and leads the team and ranks seventh in the conference with 13.7 points per game, while placing second on the team with 5.2 rebounds per contest.

Kaiser is now eligible for the Academic All-America team, which will be announced on February 28.

Lechault, a junior center from Chavannes de Bogis, Switzerland (International School of Geneva), maintains a 3.97 grade point average and is majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry.

Lechault has started 20 of 22 games for UW-Stevens Point this season and leads the conference with 83 blocked shots and .665 field goal percentage, while ranking sixth with 6.5 rebounds per game. She places second on the team with 11.5 points per contest.

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Two Nominated for NCAA Women's Basketball 25th Anniversary Team

RELEASED: Thursday, December 22, 2005

Madison, Wis.--Two former Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball standouts have been nominated for the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball 25th Anniversary Team. UW-Oshkosh's Wendy Wangerin and UW-Stevens Point's Amanda Nechuta are two of 26 individuals nominated for the squad.

Wangerin played for the Titans from 1993-96 and was named the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division III Player of the Year in 1996 after guiding the Titans to the national title. She also claimed WIAC Player of the Year honors during the 1996 campaign. Wangerin was a member of the NCAA Division III All-Tournament Team in 1995 and 1996.

Wangerin compiled a 99-14 record in her four seasons at UW-Oshkosh and ranks fourth on WIAC all-time list with 1,743 points, while placing third on the school's all-time chart with 813 rebounds.

Nechuta played for the Pointers from 2002-05 and was named the WBCA NCAA Division III Player of the Year in 2005. She claimed WBCA All-America honors in 2004 and 2005 and was named to 2004 NCAA Division III All-Tournament Team. Nechuta was a member of UW-Stevens Point's national championship squad in 2002.

Nechuta is the only two-time winner of the league's player of the year award after claiming the honor in 2004 and 2005. She leads the conference's all-time list with 121 games played and 643 free throws attempted, while ranking second with 300 steals and third with 1,801 points. The Pointers registered a 101-19 mark in Nechuta's four seasons.

NCAA Division III women's basketball began in 1981 and will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary at the 2006 championship. To commemorate this milestone a 25th Anniversary Team consisting of five student-athletes and one coach will be named. After extensive research and discussion, an expert panel compiled a list of the top Division III women's basketball student-athletes over the last 25 years and listed them on www.NCAAsports.com.

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UW-Stevens Point's Egner Moves into Third Place on All-Time Wins List

RELEASED: Friday, December 16, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point head coach Shirley Egner moved into third place on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball all-time wins list in the Pointers' 81-76 victory over Finlandia University (Mich.) on December 15 in Houghton, Mich.

Egner is in her 17th season with the Pointers and has compiled a 278-148 overall record. She surpassed former UW-Eau Claire head coach Lisa Stone in reaching the milestone and is just 11 wins shy of topping UW-Oshkosh's Carol Anhalt for second place on the league's all-time chart.

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UW-Platteville's Kuhle Registers 100th Career Victory

RELEASED: Monday, November 28, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Platteville head coach Tina Kuhle registered her 100th career victory on November 26 with a 65-61 victory over Loras College (Iowa).

Kuhle owns a 100-74 career record in eight seasons. She is in her second season with the Pioneers and has compiled a 16-15 record. Kuhle registered an 84-59 record in six seasons at Clarke College (Iowa).

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UW-Stevens Point's Bennett and UW-Stout's Thomas Receive Coach of the Year Awards

RELEASED: Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Jack Bennett and UW-Stout's Mark Thomas have been named the 2005 Men's and Women's NCAA Division III Coaches of the Year by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association.

Bennett led UW-Stevens Point to their second straight NCAA Division III championship during the 2004-05 campaign. The Pointers compiled a 29-3 overall record, including a 13-3 WIAC mark and the WIAC regular season and tournament titles. Bennett announced his retirement on August 19, 2005 after nine seasons at UW-Stevens Point. He captured five WIAC titles, five NCAA tournament apearances and two national championships. Bennett departs as the school's all-time winningest coach with a 200-56 record.

Thomas directed UW-Stout to a 24-7 overall record, including a 12-4 WIAC showing, the WIAC Tournament title and an appearance in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament. He completed his 18th season at UW-Stout and became the conference's all-time winningest coach with a 310-166 record. Thomas has captured three conference titles and made seven NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.

Bennett and Thomas were honored along with the other recipients of the WBCA's 2005 coaching awards at a special ceremony Saturday, Sept. 17, in Madison. Other recipients included Bo Ryan (DI Men's Coach of the Year) and Kevin Borseth (DI Women's).

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Schumacher Named UW-Oshkosh Women's Basketball Coach

RELEASED: Friday, July 29, 2005

Oshkosh, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh turned to one of its all-time hardwood greats and named Terri Schumacher on Friday (July 29) as its fourth head women’s basketball coach. The 1986 UW-Oshkosh graduate replaces Pam Ruder, who resigned after nine seasons to become the head women’s basketball coach at Southwestern University (Texas).

Schumacher, who made UW-Oshkosh’s Albee Hall her home during the 1984 and 1985 seasons, returns to her alma mater after spending the past 13 years as head girls’ basketball coach and physical education teacher at Oshkosh West High School. At UW-Oshkosh, Schumacher will also serve as the Assistant to the Intramural Director.

"I'm thrilled that Terri has decided to return to her alma mater and become a member of our coaching staff," said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Allen Ackerman. "She has outstanding coaching credentials and is a quality individual. I'm extremely confident that our women's basketball program will continue to enjoy tremendous success under Terri's leadership and guidance."

Schumacher is regarded as one of the state’s premier high school coaches. The Plymouth native comes to UW-Oshkosh after improving Oshkosh West’s status as a last-place team in the Fox Valley Association (FVA) to that of a two-time Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Division I state champion.

Schumacher has been the head coach at Oshkosh West since 1993. During her tenure at the school the Wildcats posted a 148-148 record, captured two WIAA Division I state titles, claimed two FVA crowns and advanced to four WIAA Division I State Tournaments. She also coached five athletes who went on to play National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I basketball, including 2003 Miss Wisconsin Basketball award winner Meredith Onson.

Since the 2000 season, Schumacher has guided Oshkosh West to an impressive 131-35 record. In 2002, the Wildcats captured the FVA title and posted a 22-3 record, including a 44-43 loss to Hudson High School in the semifinals of the WIAA State Tournament. In 2003, Oshkosh West grabbed the FVA title and capped a 26-0 season with a 62-27 victory over Middleton High School in the championship game of the WIAA State Tournament. In 2004, the Wildcats finished a 21-5 season with a 54-40 victory over Watertown High School in the championship game of the WIAA State Tournament. Last season, Oshkosh West compiled a 17-7 record, including a 39-37 loss to DeForest High School in the quarterfinals of the WIAA State Tournament.

Schumacher collected several individual awards while coaching at Oshkosh West. Among them is her selection as the 2003 Wisconsin Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. Schumacher also was named FVA Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2003, Wisconsin Coach of the Year by both the National Sports Federation and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2003 and 2004 and The Oshkosh Northwestern Coach of the Year in 2005.

Prior to her position at Oshkosh West, Schumacher coached the girls’ basketball team at Plymouth High School to a 69-44 record from 1987 to 1992. Schumacher’s best season at her hometown high school came in 1990 when she led the Panthers to an Eastern Wisconsin Conference championship and an 18-6 record, including a loss to Madison East High School in the quarterfinals of the WIAA Division I State Tournament.

Following graduation from Plymouth High School in 1981, Schumacher attended UW-La Crosse and played basketball for the Eagles during the 1982 and 1983 campaigns. She transferred to UW-Oshkosh after the 1983 season and played basketball for the Titans the next two years.

At UW-Oshkosh, Schumacher immediately became one of the dominant players in the WIAC and the NCAA Division III. In 1984, she received All-WIAC first team honors after averaging a league-leading 23.8 points per game. During an 82-70 loss to UW-Green Bay, Schumacher scored 41 points and made 19 field goals to establish a pair of UW-Oshkosh records.

In 1985, Schumacher led UW-Oshkosh to an 18-8 record and its first WIAC championship. Schumacher received NCAA Division III All-America first team honors and was chosen as the NCAA Division III Player of the Year by the American Women’s Sports Federation. She also claimed All-WIAC first team accolades after averaging a league leading 27.3 points and 5.1 steals per game. Schumacher concluded her UW-Oshkosh career by scoring 40 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in an 85-69 season-ending victory over UW-Whitewater.

Schumacher, the first NCAA Division III All-America selection in WIAC history, scored 1,209 points during her 47 games with the Titans. Her scoring output is the eighth best in UW-Oshkosh history. In 1996, UW-Oshkosh recognized Schumacher’s performance on the basketball court by inducting her into its Athletics Hall of Fame.

Schumacher, 42, follows Ruder, Kathi Bennett and Carol Anhalt as the head women's basketball coach at UW-Oshkosh. Anhalt posted a 288-127 record from 1971-89, while Bennett went 155-32 from 1990-96 and Ruder went 203-46 from 1997-2005.

Schumacher inherits a UW-Oshkosh program that has compiled 11 21-plus win seasons in the past 12 years, including a 31-0 mark and a NCAA Division III championship in 1996. The Titans have won 262 of their last 311 games, including 22 of 28 a year ago.

UW-Oshkosh opens its 2005-06 season against Fontbonne University (Mo.) on Nov. 18 in Waukesha.

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Kuhle Named UW-Platteville Women's Basketball Coach

RELEASED: Thursday, May 12, 2005

Platteville, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Platteville has named Tina Kuhle its head women's basketball coach, a position she held on an interim basis after taking over the program in the summer of 2004.

Kuhle led the Pioneers to a 13-13 record in her first season, which included winning the championship of the eight-team Clarke College Holiday Tournament. The Pioneers beat previously undefeated Concordia (Neb.) 76-64 in the holiday tournament title game. Concordia finished the year 31-5 and advanced to the semifinals of the NAIA national tournament. Kuhle also led the Pioneers to a pair of wins in the Mississippi River Challenge and a 73-39 victory over NCAA III playoff team Edgewood.

"The team displayed progress throughout the year with just one senior," Athletic Director Mark Molesworth said. "With a veteran group coming back and a large recruiting class, we look forward to the continued growth of the program."

Kuhle will take all 13 players from this year's team on a trip to Eastern Europe May 16-26, playing two games. She also will lead the Pioneers into the Kohl Center to play the Wisconsin Badgers Nov. 13 in an exhibition game to begin the 2005-06 season.

Kuhle was an assistant coach at UW-Platteville for two seasons before assuming the head coaching role. Prior to coming to UWP, she coached six seasons at Clarke College. She earned two Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference basketball coach of the year and led the Crusaders to three league championships. In six seasons, Kuhle guided the Dubuque school to an 84-59 record, including a 45-11 conference mark.

A 1994 graduate of Clarke College, Kuhle was a four-time Crusader basketball team MVP and is the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,773 points and assist leader with 425. She still holds the Clarke single-game assist record with 16 vs. Cardinal Stritch. Kuhle earned her bachelor of arts degree with a major in business administration/accounting.

Kuhle has an overall collegiate basketball record of 97-72.

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