Today's Matchup
Bradley and SMU will be meeting for the first time, when the two being play at the Hoops for the Cure Classic in Dallas, Texas.
Picked to finish second in the preseason Conference USA poll, SMU is 3-0 on the season after defeating Stephen F. Austin Monday night (84-75) on the road. The Mustangs also have home victories against Texas-San Antonio (78-49) and Sam Houston State (84-50) to open the season. SMU is averaging 82.0 points per game and shooting 43.6 percent from three-point range this season, while averaging 49.3 rebounds per game.
The Mustangs returned eight of 12 letterwinners, including three starters from last year's squad that went 16-14 overall and finished third in Conference USA with a 10-6 mark. First-team Conference USA pick, Janielle Dobbs averaged 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last season and is one of four SMU players averaging in double figures this season, averaging 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Redshirt freshman Brittany Gilliam is averaging 12.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, after tossing in 25 points and grabbing eight rebounds against Stephen F. Austin Monday. Also averaging in double figures are freshman forward Delisha Wills (12.7 points, 8.0 rebounds) and junior guard Katy Cobb (12.0 points).
Bradley returned its top five scorers from 2005-06 and six of the top seven scorers from last season. Junior guard Devyn Flanagan led the team in scoring as a sophomore, averaging 11.2 points per game, and currently leads the squad after four games, averaging 15.5 per contest. Despite battling foul trouble in the first three games, sophomore forward Kelly Krumwiede has averaged 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in just 25.8 minutes per tilt. Krumwiede has made 24-of-33 shots and is shooting 72.7 percent from the floor. Senior guard Erika Nelson is one of three other Braves seniors averaging in double figures, tossing in 10.8 points per game, while Ashley Chelleen (10.5 points) and Jen Brown (10.0 points) are also in double figures.
The Braves snapped a two-game losing skid with a 90-77 victory over instate foe Western Illinois Monday night at home. Four Bradley players scored in double figures with Brown and Chelleen leading the way with 19 points each. Chelleen hit 8-of-12 shots and grabbed eight rebounds to go along with two assists and three blocked shots. Brown's 19 points were a career-high and she also added five assists and three steals. Krumwiede hit 4-of-5 shots from the field and finished with her second career double-double with 16 points and 10 boards, while Flanagan was also in double figures with 11 points. Bradley shot 50 percent, including 45 percent (9-for-20) from three-point range.
SMU Series
Bradley will leave Wednesday for Dallas, Texas, where the Braves will take part in the Hoops for the Cure Classic hosted by SMU. The Braves trip to Dallas will be the programs third trip to the Lone Star State but first trip since 1995-96 season. Bradley played in tournaments at Rice in 1990-91 and again in 1995-96. Bradley will open tournament play against host SMU, with Friday's meeting marking the first ever meeting between the two programs. The Braves are 0-3 against current members of Conference USA with the last meeting falling during the 1996-97 season.
The Coaches
Paula Buscher (Missouri State, ?86) is in her seventh year at Bradley and has a record of 74-97 (.433) at BU. Buscher led teams to improved records in each of her first five seasons as a collegiate head coach and six of her nine seasons overall. Buscher owns a 117-135 (.464) career record and is in her 10th year as a collegiate head coach. A longtime assistant coach at Nebraska-Omaha, Buscher coached Minnesota St.-Mankato during the 1997-98 season and returned to UNO as head coach for the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons, before coming to The Hilltop.
Rhonda Rompola (SMU ?83) is in her 16th year as head coach at her alma mater, having led the Mustangs to a 273-176 (.608) record in that time. Friday's game will be the 450th game of her coaching career. She has guided SMU to six NCAA Tournament appearances, two conference championships and one WNIT appearance during her tenure.
Stats At A Glance
Bradley........................................................ SMU
76.2................... Points Per Game................... 82.0
78.5............. Points Allowed Per Game............. 58.0
.442................ Field Goal Percentage................ .426
.359........................ 3-Pt. FG%........................ .436
.772...................... Free Throw%..................... .818
35.8................. Rebounds Per Game................ 49.3
12.5............. Offensive Reb. Per Game............. 14.3
17.3................... Assists Per Game.................. 11.7
19.5................ Turnovers Per Game................ 18.3
2.0..................... Blocks Per Game.................... 3.0
9.3..................... Steals Per Game................... 10.7
Tournament Field
Bradley has little experience against it's tournament foes at the Hoops for the Cure Classic. In addition to facing SMU for the first time in program history, the Braves would be facing San Jose State for the first-time as well. Bradley is 1-1 against current members of the Western Athletic Conference, having split a home-and-home series with Fresno State. The Braves have faced Wisconsin-Milwaukee just once, losing at home to the Panthers 75-77 on Jan. 7, 1983 in Peoria. Bradley is 16-7 all-time against current members of the Horizon League.
Texas Two-Step
Bradley is 2-2 all-time in games played in the state of Texas. The Braves have played in in-season tournaments at Rice in 1990-91 and again in 1995-96, going 1-1 each time. Bradley is 1-2 against teams from the state of Texas, having defeated Texas Southern during a tournament in Pullman, Wash., in the 1992-93 season and going 0-2 against Rice.
In-Season Tournaments
Bradley is 6-6 in in-season tournaments under head coach Paula Buscher and has finished second or better in four of the six tournaments during her tenure. The Braves are 21-22 during in-season tournaments since the start of 1985-86 season, including a 16-12 mark since 1993-94. Bradley has finished second or better in seven of 14 tournaments since the beginning of 1993-94 campaign.
Up Next
Bradley will wrap up a three-game road swing Tuesday at Valparaiso. The Braves and Crusaders will be meeting for the second consecutive season and the sixth time overall. Bradley is 5-0 against Valparaiso in a series that dates back to the 1982-83 season. Last season the Braves defeated Valparaiso 79-71 in double overtime at Robertson Field House. Bradley is 2-0 in road games against the Crusaders but hasn't played at Valparaiso since posting an 85-57 victory against Valpo on Nov. 27, 1984.
Offensive Explosion
Bradley is averaging 76.2 points per game through the first four games of the 2006-07 season after averaging 63.1 points per contest last season. The Braves scored a season-high 90 points Monday against Western Illinois, marking the highest point total for Bradley since netting 95 points against Loyola on Dec. 4, 2004. The Braves have scored 73 points or more three times in the first four games. Bradley topped the 73-point mark just five times during the 2005-06 season. Senior Jen Brown scored a career-high 19 points in the Braves victory against Western Illinois, while fellow senior Ashley Chelleen also tied for game-high honors with a season-best 19 points.
On The Mark
Sophomore Kelly Krumwiede has opened the season strong, averaging 15.3 points and shooting 72.7 percent from the field through he first four games. Krumwiede, who scored in double figures five times as a freshman, has scored 14 or more points in all four games this season, marking the first time in her career she has reached double figures in consecutive games. She is also averaging 6.8 rebounds per game despite averaging 25.8 minutes per contest.
Brown Moves Into Top Three In Assists
Senior guard Jen Brown moved into third place on Bradley's career assist list, dishing out five assists in the Braves 90-77 victory against Western Illinois. Brown passed Andrea McAllister for third place on the all-time list, pushing her career total to 363. Brown will likely end her career in third place as she needs 166 assists to catch Judy Burns for second place. The fourth player in program history to have 100 or more assists in back-to-back seasons, Brown joined Kathy Stokes and Burns as the only players in school history to lead the team in assists in three different seasons and has a chance to be the only individual to accomplish that feat all four years.
Bradley's Career Assists Leaders
Rank Name (Years)......................... Total Assists
1. Kathy Stokes (1977-81)........................... 543
2. Judy Burns (1981-84)............................. 529
3. Jen Brown (2003-present)..................... 363
4. Andrea McAllister (1988-92)..................... 360
5. Dawn Cartwright (1992-96)...................... 353
Chelleen Moves Into Sixth On Blocks List
Senior Ashley Chelleen matched a career-best with three blocked shots against Western Illinois (Nov. 20) to take over sixth place on Bradley's career blocked shot list. Chelleen entered the game tied with Sara Bailey and Lynn Pastucha for seventh place with 51 blocks, but her three rejections, pushed her past Karin Nicholls (53 blocks), into sixth place. Chelleen has turned back 54 shots during her time on The Hilltop and is currently 32 blocks behind Tami Van Galder for fifth place.
Bradley's Career Blocked Shots Leaders
Rank Name (Years)......................... Total Blocks
1. Dena Williams (2001-05).......................... 197
2. Heather Best (1995-99)............................ 153
3. Krisha Green (1993-97)........................... 106
4. Eileen Yerkes (1988-92).......................... 105
5. Tami Van Galder (1991-95)....................... 86
6. Ashley Chelleen (2002-present).............. 54
7. Karin Nicholls (1986-90)............................ 53
T8. Sara Bailey (1999-03)............................... 51
T8. Lynn Pastucha (1999-00).......................... 51
Chelleen Cracks Top 30 In Scoring, Nears Top 25
Senior center Ashley Chelleen scored a season-high 19 points Monday against Western Illinois to move into 26th place on Bradley's career scoring list. Her 19-point effort against the Bulldogs moved her past Dawn Cartwright, who now ranks 17th with 666 points. Chelleen has scored 673 points during her Bradley career and is now 27 points to from reaching the 700-point plateau and 25th place in program history. Liza Reed ranks 25th with 699 career points. Fellow seniors Jen Brown and Amy Peters will likely join
Chelleen in the top 30 soon. Brown enters this weekend's play with 605 points, while Peters has 596 points entering the SMU game.
Bradley's Career Scoring Leaders
Rank Name (Years).......................... Total Points
1. Karen Anderson (1979-83).................... 1,679
2. Shelli Braud (1984-88).......................... 1,605
3. Connie Griffith (1977-81)....................... 1,583
4. Judy Burns (1981-84).......................... 1,544
5. Sara Bailey (1999-03).......................... 1,541
6. Karin Nicholls (1986-90)....................... 1,461
7. Heather Best (1995-99)......................... 1,447
8. Carrie Coffman (1991-95)...................... 1,313
9. Genny Mueller (2001-05)...................... 1,269
10. Eileen Yerkes (1988-92)....................... 1,120
11. Val Wancket (1987-91)......................... 1,048
12. Dena Williams (2001-05)....................... 1,030
13. Carol Baresch (1986-89)....................... 1,018
14. Andrea McAllister (1988-92)..................... 980
15. Jenn Jolley (1997-01)............................. 920
16. Roxanne Grabow (1979-83).................... 836
17. Maureen Hogan (1978-82)....................... 831
Michelle Nason (1993-95)........................ 831
19. Erika Grogg (1990-94)............................. 816
20. Kathy Stokes (1977-81)........................... 802
21. Karen Richardson (1979-81).................... 798
22. Audrey DeClue (1984-88)........................ 784
23. Tammy Van Oppen (1995-97).................. 763
24. Heidi Nelson (1987-91)............................ 705
25. Liza Reed (1991-95)............................... 699
26. Ashley Chelleen (2002-present)............ 673
27. Dawn Cartwright (1992-96)...................... 666
28. Carolyn Hagerty (1993-95)...................... 653
29. Va'Nicia Waterman (2001-05)................... 645
30. Dana Anderson (1994-98)........................ 641
31. Sheila Jenkins (1989-91)......................... 638
32. Jen Brown (2003-present)..................... 605
33. Lea Ann Machias (1984-86)..................... 599
34. Amy Peters (2003-present).................... 596
Bench Comes Alive
Bradley's bench averaged just 13.0 points per game in the first three games of the 2006-07 season, but had a coming out party against Western Illinois, combining for 31 points. The Braves reserves had been outscored in each of the first three games by an 31 points or an average of 10.3 points per game. Senior Ashley Chelleen's 19 points against the Westerwinds, helped Bradley own a 31-27 edge in points off the bench. Last season Bradley's reserves outscored their counterparts in 19 of the 29 games and averaged 22.4 points per game. This season the opponents' bench has outscored Bradley's 97-70 through four games (+6.75 per game), with senior Ashley Chelleen leading the way with a 10.5 points per game average.
Season Openers
Bradley opened its 32nd season of competition with a 67-60 victory against Chicago State on Nov. 11. The Braves are now 19-13 all-time in season openers, including a 14-5 when opening the season at home. Bradley opened the season at home for the fourth consecutive year and is now 23-9 overall in home openers and improved to 5-2 in season openers under seventh-year head coach Paula Buscher.
Road Openers
Bradley's game at Eastern Illinois (Nov. 14) marked the first of 14 true road games on the schedule for the 2006-07. Bradley opened the road portion of its schedule with a 92-75 loss to Eastern Illinois in Charleston, Ill., and fell to 14-18 in road openers. The Braves are now 3-4 in road openers under seventh-year head coach Paula Buscher.
Returners Continue to Shine
Bradley's six returning players stole the show for the Braves in the team's season-opening victory against Chicago State and have continued to shine. Despite a roster that features six newcomers, Bradley received all 67 points in its win against the Cougars from the six returning players. The group also combined for 40 of Bradley's 49 rebounds, all 11 steals and 16 of the team's 18 assists. On the season, Bradley's newcomers have combined for 28 points or 9.2 percent of the offense and 19 rebounds (13.3 percent).
Nelson Finds The Range
Senior guard Erika Nelson turned in one of the best all-around performances of her career in Bradley's season opener, collecting 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and matching a career-high four steals. Nelson, who averaged 3.9 points and hit just 10-of-34 three pointers last season (29.4 percent), led all players in scoring and hit 4-of-8 shots from beyond the three-point arc. Nelson had played in 16 consecutive games without scoring 10 or more points and her 16 points were the most since netting 17 against Creighton on Feb. 24, 2005. She currently leads the team with eight made three-pointers and is shooting 36.4 percent (8-for-22) from long range, while averaging 10.8 points per tilt.
Braves Kick Off Tour Of The Land Of Lincoln
Seven of Bradley's 11 non-conference games are against teams from Illinois, giving the Braves a total of 11 games against teams that hail from the Prairie State. Bradley kicked off the season with a 67-60 victory against instate foe Chicago State and followed that with a 92-75 loss at Eastern Illinois. The Braves also own a 90-77 home win against Western Illinois. All told, Bradley will play nine of the other 11 Division I teams in the state in 2006-07, including four road games at instate foes. The next game against a team from the state of Illinois is Sunday, Dec. 3, when the Braves play host to Loyola at 2:05 p.m. at Robertson Field House.
Braves Picked 10th In Preseason Valley Poll
Bradley was picked to finish 10th in the Missouri Valley Conference according to a vote of Valley coaches, sports information directors and media. The Braves, which finished in a tie for ninth with Creighton last season, return the top five scorers and six of the top seven scorers from last years squad. Bradley received 66 points in the poll and was 18 points behind ninth-place Creighton. Drake garnered 28 of 40 first-place votes to finish first in voting.
MVC Preseason Poll
Rank Team (First-Place Votes).................. Points
1. Drake (28)............................................. 373
2. Wichita State (10)................................... 345
3. Northern Iowa........................................ 274
4. Evansville............................................ 242
5. Illinois State........................................... 237
6. Indiana State (2)..................................... 227
7. Missouri State........................................ 176
Southern Illinois...................................... 176
9. Creighton................................................ 84
10. Bradley................................................. 66
Live Audio
Audio for all of Bradley's home and away games will be available on the Bradley Athletics website at www.bubraves.com
In previous seasons only home and select road contests were available on the Braves website, but audio for all 29 regular-season games will be available free of charge via the internet.
Bradley also has a pay-per-view video stream available for all home games at www.bubraves.tv
New Faces
Bradley welcomed seven new players for the 2006-07 season, which includes four junior college transfers, a Division I transfer and two freshmen. Chasity Cotton (Little Rock, Ark./J.A. Fair Magnet H.S./Arkansas-Ft. Smith) is the first player in program history from the state of Arkansas. Local product Rachel Merriman (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame H.S./Illinois Central College) will help in the backcourt, along with fellow junior college transfer Felicia Nekmouche (Uppsala, Sweden/Katedral H.S./Kankakee C.C.), who is the fourth foreign-born player in program history. Jasmin Wright (Beale Air Force Base, Calif./Wheatland H.S./Yuba College) is the sister of former Bradley men's basketball player Lawrence Wright. The Braves also added two freshmen in Renee Frericks (Wyoming, Minn./Forest Lake H.S.), a 5-10 guard and Jenny Van Kirk (Waconia, Minn./Waconia) a 6-1 forward. Rounding out the newcomers is Monica Rogers (Forsyth, Ill./St. Teresa H.S./Hampton), a 6-1 forward who transferred from Hampton. Rogers will sit out the 2006-07 season due to NCAA rules regarding Division I transfers.
Steadying Force In The Lineup
Over the past three-plus seasons one thing has almost always been certain about the Braves starting lineup - senior point guard Jen Brown has been in it. Brown has started 87 of the 88 games since the start of the 2003-04 season, missing one start during her sophomore year (2004-05). She is currently in fifth in school history in starts since the start of the 1984-85 season with 87 and needs just four starts to pass Shelli Braud for fourth place. Brown needs 22 starts to break Dawn Cartwright's school record of 108 starts. Erika Nelson is the only other player on the roster to start more than 45 games, owning 58.
Bradley's Career Starts Leaders Since 1984-85
Rank Name (Years)................................... Starts
1. Dawn Cartwright (1992-96)...................... 108
2. Heather Best (1995-99)............................ 107
3. Karin Nicholls (1986-90).......................... 105
4. Shelli Braud (1984-88).............................. 98
5. Jen Brown (2003-present)...................... 87
6. Andrea McAllister (1988-92)....................... 86
Chelleen Regains Lead
Senior center Ashley Chelleen made 8-of-12 shots Monday to retake the top spot on Bradley's career field goal percentage list. Chelleen entered the year as the Braves career leader but made 6-of-16 shots to open the season to slip into a tie with Kim Harris for the career lead. Chelleen currently owns a 53.3 career field goal percentage, having made 256-of-480 shots from the field. The Braves active career scoring leader with 673 points, Chelleen is shooting 50 percent from the field this season. Fellow senior Amy Peters ranks 11th in school history in field goal percentage at 46.2 percent.
BU Career Field Goal Percentage
FG% Name (Years)................................ FG-FGA
.533 Ashley Chelleen (2002-present)...... 256-480
.531 Kim Harris (1984-86)......................... 245-461
.523 Tami Van Galder (1991-95)................ 218-417
.512 Audrey DeClue (1984-88).................. 301-587
.506 Connie Griffith (1977-81).................. 636-1257
.495 Krisha Green (1993-97)..................... 240-425
.490 Carrie Coffman (1991-95)................. 552-1127
.481 Sheila Jenkins (1989-91)................... 273-567
.477 Karen Richardson (1979-81).............. 335-702
.473 Kathy Stokes (1977-81)..................... 337-712
.462 Amy Peters (2003-present).............. 229-496
Brown Leads Valley In Assist-To-
Turnover Ratio Again
For the third consecutive season senior Jen Brown led the Missouri Valley Conference in assist-to-turnover ratio, averaging 2.14 assists to every turnover. She was even better in conference play, posting a league-best 2.27 assist-to-turnover radio against Valley opponents. Brown has improved her assist-to-turnover ratio each of her three seasons after posting a 1.92 ratio as a sophomore and 1.78 assist to every turnover as a freshman.
MVC Assist/Turnover Ratio (2005-06)
Rank Name (Team).................................... Ratio
1. *Jen Brown (Bradley).......................... 2.14
2. Melanie Boeglin (Indiana State)................ 2.07
3. *Erin Pauk (Southern Illinois)................... 1.74
4. *Kristi Cirone (Illinois State)..................... 1.58
5. *Jessie Biggs (Northern Iowa)................. 1.48
6. *Ally Thrall (Creighton)............................ 1.3
* - Indicates returners for 2006-07.
Brown Bombing From Long Range
In addition to ranking among Bradley's career assist leaders, senior Jen Brown is also closing in on Bradley's career top 10 for made three-pointers. Brown has connected on 83 three-point field goals as a Brave and is just one made trey behind former teammate Va'Nicia Waterman. Brown has averaged 25.3 three-pointers per season and could become just the eighth player to make 100 three-pointers in a career. Junior Devyn Flanagan is second on the team with 51 career made three-pointers after connecting on 34 shots from beyond the arc last year.
BU Career Three-Pointers Made
Rank Name (Years).............................. 3-Pt. FGs
1. Genny Mueller (2001-05)......................... 182
2. Michelle Nason (1993-95)........................ 158
3. Heather Best (1995-99)............................ 154
4. Andrea McAllister (1988-92)..................... 148
5. Erika Grogg (1990-94)............................. 112
6. Dawn Cartwright (1992-96)...................... 110
7. Dana Anderson (1994-98)........................ 104
8. Sara Bailey (1999-03)............................... 99
9. Jennifer Jolley (1997-01)........................... 85
10. Va'Nicia Waterman (2001-05)..................... 84
11. Jen Brown (2003-present) 83
