Bradley MVC Tournament Game Notes vs. Missouri State (March 8, 2007)

Bradley MVC Tournament Game Notes vs. Missouri State (March 8, 2007)

Bradley University Women's Basketball 3/6/2007 6:00:00 AM

The Matchup

Bradley will be meeting Missouri State in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference tournament for the seventh time in 15 total appearances. The Braves swept the regular-season series from the Bears for the first time since the 1988-89 season and will be looking for three wins against one opponent in the same season for the first-time ever.

Missouri State finished 10th in the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference standings with a 3-15 league record and enter the tournament with a 7-20 overall record after losing three straight and 11 of the last 12 to conclude the regular season.

Junior Tahnee Balerio is the top scorer in the MVC at 18.9 points per game and is also dishing out 4.9 assists per game. Sophomore forward Breton Wyett has come off the bench 19 times this year and is scoring 10.4 points per game, while junior forward Tiff Terwelp is scoring 10.2 points per game and pulling down a team-best 8.6 rebounds per game.

Missouri State is last in the MVC in scoring (61.8 points per game) and seventh in scoring defense (68.7 ppg). While the Bears led the league in field goal percentage defense, limiting opponents 40.7 percent shooting from the field, MSU is last in the Valley shooting 37.7 percent from the field and is 10th in rebounding margin at -4.2 boards per game.

Bradley's 78-68 victory in Springfield, Mo., started the Bears slide in which the Bears have lost 11 of the last 12 games. Four Bradley players scored in double figures in the first meeting with Devyn Flanagan leading the way with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior Ashley Chelleen led four Braves in double figures in the rematch with 21 points and 11 rebounds in BU's 78-75 victory over Missouri State on Feb. 15. Balerio scored 26 points in the second half and finished with a game-high 35 as she was the only Bear in double figures.

The Braves ended the season with a three-game losing streak which followed a stretch in which Bradley had won four of five. The Braves have averaged 57.0 points per game during their recent losing skid, while shooting 35.9 percent (60-for-167) from the field during the streak.

Bradley finished alone in seventh in the MVC standings, and is the #7 seed for the second time in the last three years.

The Braves enter the tournament seventh in scoring in the league at 64.8 points per game and are ninth in points allowed at 70.2. BU is second in free throw percentage, shooting what would be a program season record .755 from the line and is third in rebounding.

Senior Erika Nelson is the team's leading scorer at 13.6 points per game and is one of the top three-point threats in the Missouri Valley Conference, averaging 2.4 three-pointers per game. Nelson averaged 3.9 points per game last season and has more than doubled her career three-point total entering the season. In addition her 393 points on the year is 14 points short of her combined point total from her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.

Junior Devyn Flanagan is one of two other Bradley players scoring in double figures, averaging 10.9 per tilt. Flanagan is also tied for the team lead averaging 2.9 assists per game and is pulling down 4.4 rebounds per tilt.

Senior forward Amy Peters has come on as of late, averaging 12.2 points per game and shooting 52.3 percent (23-for-44) from three-point range over the last 13 games. Peters is averaging 10.4 points per game on the year and is second on the team in rebounding at 5.9 rpg. Senior Jen Brown has also helped with the scoring, averaging 10.8 points per game over the last 13 games while shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc during that span.

Bradley's six returning players have combined for 1710 of the 1879 points (91 percent) this season and are shooting 40.6 percent (605-1489) from the field, while the six newcomers have combined to average 5.8 points per game and shoot 26.8 percent from the field.

Missouri State Series

Bradley swept the regular-season series from Missouri State for the first time since the 1988-89 season, defeating the Bears 76-68 in Springfield, Mo., and 78-75 in Peoria at Robertson Memorial Field House. The Braves have won three of the last four meetings and five of the last six in the series with Missouri State, but trail the all-time series 16-38. Thursday's meeting will be the first neutral court meeting in the series and the seventh meeting at the State Farm MVC Tournament history. Bradley is 1-5 against the Bears in Tournament play.

The Coaches

Paula Buscher (Missouri State, ?86) is in her seventh year at Bradley and has a record of 83-113 (.423) 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 126-151 (.455) 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.

Katie Abrahamson-Henderson (Iowa ?90) is in her fifth year as a collegiate head coach and fifth season as head coach at Missouri State. She has led the Bears to a 95-60 (.613) record in that time. Missouri State has made four postseason appearances under coach Abe, including three NCAA appearances and the WNIT postseason title in 2004-05.

Stats At A Glance

Bradley.......................................... Missouri State

64.8................... Points Per Game................... 61.8

70.2............. Points Allowed Per Game............. 68.7

.391................ Field Goal Percentage............... ..377

.441.......... Field Goal Percentage Defense.......... .407

.348........................ 3-Pt. FG%........................ .319

.755...................... Free Throw%..................... .732

37.2................. Rebounds Per Game................ 35.4

13.0............. Offensive Reb. Per Game............. 11.4

+1.7.................... Rebound Margin.................... -4.2

13.7................... Assists Per Game.................... 9.7

17.2................ Turnovers Per Game................ 15.4

3.0..................... Blocks Per Game.................... 3.0

7.0..................... Steals Per Game..................... 7.1

MVC Tournament History

Bradley will participate in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament (March 8-11) in Des Moines, Iowa for the seventh consecutive year. The Braves are looking to end a seven-game losing streak in the tournament and own a 1-14 (.067) record in 14 all-time tournament appearances. The lone victory was a 53-52 upset of Missouri State in Springfield, Mo. at the 1997 tournament. Bradley will face Missouri State at 8:35 p.m. in the 7-10 game on Thursday, March 8, almost 10 years to the day since the Braves lone MVC Tournament victory (March 6, 1997).

Familiar Tournament Foe

Bradley is very familiar with its first-round opponent in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Braves have faced Missouri State a total of six times in the programs 15 MVC Tournament games and own a 1-5 record in those games. Bradley is 0-2 in MVC Tournament games in Des Moines, Iowa and owns a 1-15 record all-time at the Drake Knapp Center.

Braves Rare Favorite In First Round Matchup

Bradley will be the No. 7 seed for this week's State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and will enter the game with a higher seed than its opponent for just the second time in 16 all-time MVC Tournament games when the Braves face No. 10 seed Missouri State Thursday. The only other time in program history the Braves were the higher seed in the Valley Tournament came in the 1996-97 tournament when No. 6 seed Bradley upset tournament host and No. 3 seed Missouri State at the 1997 tournament in Springfield, Mo., and went on to face No. 7 seed Wichita State in the semifinals. The Shockers posted a 74-67 victory against the Braves to advance to the tournament championship.

If Bradley Wins

? It will be just the Braves second victory in the State Farm MVC Tournament.

? The Braves would advance to Friday's quarterfinals and would face Illinois State.

? Bradley would have three victories against one opponent for the first time in school history.

? The Braves meeting in Illinois State would be the second time the I-74 rivals have met in Valley Tournament play. The other was an 80-75 Illinois State overtime victory on March 7, 1996.

? Head coach Paula Buscher would earn her first MVC Tournament victory.

? Bradley would have its first-ever victory as a higher seed.

Braves To Break Mark For Games Played

Thursday's first-round game in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament will mark the 30th game of the season for the Braves. Bradley has never played 30 games in a season, breaking the previous school record of 29 games played in a season set during the 1979-80 season.

Nelson Nears 400-Point Mark

Senior guard Erika Nelson enters the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with 393 points on the season and needs seven points to be the first player since Sara Bailey in 2001-02 to score 400 points in a season. If Nelson reaches the 400-point mark it would mark the 19th time a Bradley player scored 400 points in a season and she would be the first player since Heather Best in 1998-99 to score 400 points in their senior season.

Brown Closing In On History

Senior Jen Brown enters the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a slim lead over Devyn Flanagan for the team lead in assists and has a chance to become the first player in school history to lead the team in assists in all four years. Brown joined Kathy Stokes and Judy Burns as the only players in school history to lead the squad in assists in three consecutive seasons. She enters the tournament with a team-best 86 assists on the season, but junior Devyn Flanagan is right behind her with 85 assists on the year.

Peters May Break Own Season Mark

Senior Amy Peters set a Bradley season record for three-point field goal percentage, shooting 42.2 percent (27-for-64) from beyond the arc last season. She will have a chance to break her own school season mark as she enters the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament shooting 42.6 percent (29-for-68) from three-point range. Peters could post the sixth season three-point percentage better than 40 percent and has a chance to join Michelle Nason as the only players in school history to shoot better than 40 percent from long range in two seasons as a Brave.

Brown Holds Record For Career Starts

Senior guard Jen Brown broke the school record for starts at Indiana State (Feb. 25), appearing in the starting lineup for the 109th time as a Brave. Brown, who has started all but three games in her career, broke Dawn Cartwright's previous school record of 108 starts and has now started 110 games in her career. Fellow senior Erika Nelson is seventh all-time in starts with 83 and is three starts behind Andrea McAllister for sixth place.

Bradley's Career Starts Leaders

Rank Name (Years)................................... Starts

1. Jen Brown (2003-present)..................... 110

2. Dawn Cartwright (1992-96)...................... 108

2. Heather Best (1995-99)............................ 107

4. Karin Nicholls (1986-90).......................... 105

5. Shelli Braud (1984-88).............................. 98

6. Andrea McAllister (1988-92)....................... 86

7. Erika Nelson (2003-present)................... 83

8. Val Wancket (1987-91).............................. 81

9. Jenn Jolley (1997-01)............................... 79

10. Eileen Yerkes (1988-92)............................ 78

Nelson Climbing Three-Point List

Senior guard Erika Nelson joined Michelle Nason as the only players in program with 70 three-pointers in a season, hitting her 70th trey of the year against Illinois State on Feb. 23. Her 70 three-point baskets are the most by a Bradley player since Nason connected on a school-season record 87 three-pointers in 1994-95 and is the third best season total in school history. With at least one games remaining, Nelson is on pace to finish the season with 72 three-pointers which would rank second among school marks and among the top 20 season totals in MVC history. Nelson has 94 career made three-pointers and is now 10th in school history. She is second on the team in three-point field goal percentage, shooting 40 percent (70-for-175) from beyond the arc and has made 38-of-87 three-point attempts (.437) in Bradley's 14 home games and is averaging 2.7 makes from beyond the arc in home contests. Nelson is shooting 32-for-88 (36.4 percent) from long range in games away from home and is averaging 2.1 trey's per road tilt.

Three-Point FGs Made (Season)

3FG Name............................................ Season

87 Michelle Nason................................ 1994-95

71 Michelle Nason................................ 1993-94

70 Erika Nelson.................................. 2006-07

64 Heather Best.................................... 1998-99

60 Genny Mueller................................. 2003-04

Senior Night Not Kind

Bradley was unable to end a disturbing trend, losing to Northern Iowa 64-55 on Senior Night at Robertson Memorial Field House to conclude the regular season. The Braves are now just 2-5 in the final regular-season home game of the season under seventh-year Bradley head coach Paula Buscher and 2-10 over the last 12 years. Bradley is truly just 1-10 on “Senior Night” over the last 12 years, however, as the 2003-04 squad ended the regular-season with a 97-83 home victory against Indiana State, but had no seniors on the roster.

Braves Win Streak Ends At Three

Bradley's longest win streak of the season was snapped Friday by I-74 rival Illinois State (Feb. 23), as the Redbirds downed the Braves 75-66 at Robertson Field House. Illinois State's victory not only snapped BU's longest win streak of the year, but also ended a six-game home win streak for the Braves in the series and gave Illinois State it's first season sweep of the series since the 1998-99 season.

Three's Keep Falling

Bradley has hit 169 three-pointers on the season heading into the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and is averaging nearly six three-point makes per contest. The 169 trey's is the third best season total in school history and the most by a Bradley team since the 1994-95 squad hit a school-record 188 three-pointers. With at least one game remaining, the Braves are on pace to finish the season with at least 175 trey's which would rank third in school history.

Three-Point FGs Made (Season)

3FG Season......................................... Average

188 1994-95 (27).......................................... 7.0

184 1993-94 (27).......................................... 6.8

169 2006-07 (29).......................................... 5.8

155 1992-93 (27).......................................... 5.7

155 1995-96 (27).......................................... 5.7

Buscher, Braves Unable to End Hulman Center Curse

Bradley's losing streak at the Hulman Center has now hit 10 as the Braves suffered a 50-86 loss at Indiana State on Feb. 25. The Braves have not won at the Hulman Center since downing the Sycamores 70-53 in Terre Haute, Ind., on Jan. 26, 1997. Indiana State is the lone MVC team seventh-year Bradley head coach Paula Buscher does not have a road victory against. BU picked up a road win at Drake earlier this season, ending a 13-game road losing streak in the series with the Bulldogs, leaving the now 10-game road losing streak against the Sycamores as the longest active skid against MVC foes. The Braves are 0-7 at the Hulman Center under Buscher and are 1-6 in road games during her time against Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Drake and Creighton. BU is 2-5 at Missouri State in the regular season during Buscher's tenure and 3-4 at both Evansville and Wichita State. Southern Illinois is the lone team Buscher and the Braves have a winning road record against over the past seven seasons at 5-2.

Brown The Key To Success?

Senior guard Jen Brown has scored in double figures in five of the last nine games and seven of the last 10 contests and has been a big part of Bradley's recent turnaround. Brown has scored in double figures 11 times this season and the Braves are 7-4 in those contest. During her career Bradley is 19-11 (.633) when Brown scores in double digits and 37-34 (.521) when she finishes with six or more points. The Braves struggle when Brown is held in check however, owning a 9-35 (.205) record over the last four years when Brown scores five or fewer points.

Braves Shoot Lights Out At Hoops For The Cure Event

Bradley continued its recent trend of shooting well from beyond the arc when hosting its annual Hoops for the Cure event, hitting 10-of-19 three-pointers against Wichita State on Feb. 17. Bradley helped raise nearly eight thousand dollars for the Susan G. Komen Foundation at this year's event and has helped generate nearly 35 thousand dollars in the four years of sponsoring the event. Seventh-year Bradley head coach Paula Buscher donated $25 per Bradley three-point basket with many others matching her donation to help generate over half of the funds raised. Bradley is a combined 31-for-67 (46.3 percent) in the four Hoops for the Cure events.

Playing With Fire

The Braves are used to close calls, having a total of 10 games decided by eight points or fewer this season. In fact seven of Bradley's 11 victories on the year have been by eight points or less. Bradley's 11-point victory against Wichita State (Feb. 17) snapped a streak of six consecutive games decided by eight points or less and was the longest streak of such games in school history. Bradley had five consecutive games decided seven points or fewer in 1994-95 but suffered a 10-point loss at Missouri State to end the streak. The Braves are 7-3 in games decided by eight points or less this season. The seven wins are the most since the 1996-97 squad went 7-6 in games decided by eight or fewer. The Braves were 5-9 last year in games decided by eight or less and were 14-21 (.400) over the last three seasons in games with a final margin of eight points or fewer.

Braves Surpass Win Totals From 2005-06

The Braves' 78-75 victory against Missouri State (Feb. 15) not only gave the Braves their first regular-season sweep of the Bears since the 1988-89 season, but it also pushed Bradley past its overall and MVC victory totals from the 2005-06 season. The Braves went 9-19 overall and 5-13 in Valley play this season, but enter Saturday's game against Northern Iowa with an overall mark of 11-17 and currently seventh in the Valley standings with a 7-11 league mark. The seven conference wins are the most since finishing the 2004-05 season 8-10 in league play and the Braves haven't finished a season 9-9 or better in MVC action since the 2002-03 campaign.

Chelleen's Double-Double Helps Power BU Past Missouri State

Senior center Ashley Chelleen had her highest scoring output in over four years, scoring a team-high 21 points to help lead Bradley to a 78-75 victory against Missouri State (Feb. 15). Chelleen reached the 20-point mark for the third time in her career and

matched a career-best with 21 points against the Bears to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. She had set her career high during her freshman season, scoring 21 points in the Braves home win against Illinois State on Jan. 11, 2003.

Up Next

The winner of Thursday's 7-10 matchup between Bradley and Missouri will face the #2 seed Illinois State Redbirds Friday at 6:05 p.m. at the Drake Knapp Center. Illinois State swept the regular-season series and has now won three consecutive in the series and four of the last five meetings. The Redbirds own a 37-23 lead in the all-time series and claimed the only neutral court meeting in the series, downing the Braves 80-75 in overtime in Des Moines, on March 7, 1996.

Chelleen Breaks Mark For Games Played

Senior center Ashley Chelleen broke Bradley's career mark for games played against Missouri State on Feb. 15, and has now appeared in 117 games as a Brave. Chelleen's former teammates Genny Mueller and Dena Williams both had shared the mark with 112 games played, but have now been passed by both Chelleen and Jen Brown (113 games). With at least one game, fellow senior Erika Nelson will likely eclipse the mark of 112 games played Thursday against Missouri State. Amy Peters is tied for eighth in school history in games played, having appeared in 109 games in her Bradley career.

Games Played (Career)

GP Name............................................ Season

117 Ashley Chelleen.................... 2002-present

113 Jen Brown............................. 2003-present

112 Erika Nelson.......................... 2003-present

Genny Mueller................................. 2001-05

Dena Williams.................................. 2001-05

110 Karen Anderson............................... 1979-83

Shelli Braud..................................... 1984-88

109 Amy Peters............................ 2003-present

Liza Reed....................................... 1991-95

Eileen Yerkes.................................. 1988-92

Heidi Nelson.................................... 1987-91

Karin Nicholls.................................. 1986-90

Jen Brown Sweeps Awards

Senior Jen Brown earned a trio of honors for the week of Feb. 12, earning State Farm/MVC Player of the Week, Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week and Bradley's Country Insurance and Financial Services Scholar-Athlete of the Week honors. Brown was the first Brave to earn MVC Player of the Week distinction since Dena Williams on Feb. 14, 2005 after averaging 20.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and

1.5 steals per game in a pair of road games as the Braves nearly upset regular-season champion Southern Illinois (50-55) on Feb. 9 and downed Evansville in overtime (82-76) on Feb. 11. Brown shot 61 percent from the field and 58.3 percent (7-for-12) from three-point range in the pair of games. She entered the week averaging 6.2 points and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 30.5 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from beyond the arc, but opened the week with a 17-point, two-assist and two-steal effort in the Braves near upset of league leading Southern Illinois. Brown capped the week with a career-best 24 points in Bradley's overtime victory at Evansville, hitting 5-of-6 three-pointers to become the eighth player in program history to hit 100 career trey's.

Brown Knocks Down 100th Trey

Senior guard Jen Brown knocked down her 100th career three-pointer in Bradley's overtime win at Evansville (Feb. 11), making her the eighth player in program history with 100 or more career trey's. Brown, who had been shooting 24.3 percent from long range after the first 20 games of the season, has hit 17 of her last 43 three-point attempts (39.5 percent) and is now tied for sixth in school history with 106 career trey's. Fellow senior Erika Nelson broke into Bradley's career top 10 for three's Feb. 15 against Missouri State and is currently 10th with 94 career three-pointers.

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

T6. Dawn Cartwright (1992-96)...................... 110

T6. Jen Brown (2003-present)..................... 110

8. Dana Anderson (1994-98)........................ 104

9. Sara Bailey (1999-03)............................... 99

10. Erika Nelson (2003-present)................... 94

11. Jennifer Jolley (1997-01)........................... 85

12. Va'Nicia Waterman (2001-05)..................... 84

Braves Take Down Aces In OT

Bradley's overtime road victory against Evansville (Feb. 11) was a rare occurrence for the Braves. Bradley had lost four straight overtime road games in conference play dating back to a triple overtime victory at Eastern Illinois on Feb. 1, 1992. The Braves have played just eight overtime games in 213 conference road tilts and are 4-4 in those contests, but own a 4-7 all-time mark in overtime league games at home.

Home Sweet Home

Bradley played eight of its first 13 Missouri Valley Conference games on the road and will be looking to close the regular-season on a high note as the Braves will play four of its final five games at Robertson Memorial Field House. Bradley finished 3-6 on the road in Valley play, and 4-5 in conference home games. The Braves finished the year 7-7 in home games this season, compared to just 3-11 in road games. The three MVC road wins are the most since the 2004-05 squad went 4-5 in league road games. Bradley's .500 home record, marked the fifth straight year the Braves were .500 or better in home contests. BU had not had five straight seasons with .500 or better records at home since the 1987-88 through 1991-92 seasons when Bradley was a combined 39-21 (.650).

Braves Get Rare Sweep Of Bulldogs

Bradley posted a 58-51 victory against Drake on Feb. 3 to complete the Braves first regular-season series sweep of the Bulldogs since the 1991-92 season. The sweep by the Braves, marked just the second time in now 24 years of being members of the same conference that Bradley swept the regular-season series from Drake. The Bulldogs had won five consecutive games against the Braves and 24 of the last 25 in the series heading into this season. Bradley surrendered a total of 108 points to Drake in their two meetings this season, including a season-low for a BU opponent 51 in Saturday's win in Peoria. The 51 points were the fewest scored by Drake in the 51 meetings between the two opponents.

Brown Joins MVC Elite

Senior guard Jen Brown broke into the Missouri Valley Conference career assist chart and is currently 16th in league history with 434 career assists. Brown, who is third in school history in assists, needs 21 assists to move into 15th in Valley history. 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)..................... 434

4. Andrea McAllister (1988-92)..................... 360

MVC's Career Assists Leaders

Rank Name (Years)......................... Total Assists

1. Melanie Boeglin, Indiana State (2003-06).... 685

2. Tina Robbins, Missouri State (1991-94)..... 657

3. Pam Tanner, Illinois State (1986-89).......... 546

Stephanie Schmitz, Drake (1999-02).......... 546

5. Joe Hanig, Western Illinois (1988-91)......... 542

Krissy Holden, Indiana State (1994-97)...... 542

15. Secilia Winkfield, Missouri State (1990-93).. 455

16. Jen Brown, Bradley (2003-present)....... 434

17. LuAnn Robinson, Illinois State (1988-91).... 432

Peters Finding The Range

Senior Amy Peters has connected on 13 of her last 24 three-point attempts and is now shooting a team-best 42.6 percent from three-point range on the season. Peters opened the season shooting 24 percent from beyond the arc, hitting just 6-of-24 attempts to begin the year, but broke out of her shooting slump by connecting on 4-of-6 three-point attempts against Missouri State (Jan. 21) and has now hit 23 of her last 44 shots from beyond the arc (52.3 percent).

Home Struggles Against Bluejays Continue

Bradley's home loss against Creighton (Feb. 1) was the 16th consecutive home loss in the series with the Bluejays for the Braves. Bradley is a 1-16 in home games against Creighton with the lone Braves home victory in the series coming in the Bluejays first trip to Peoria on Dec. 2, 1989.

February Much Kinder To The Braves

Seventh-year Bradley head coach Paula Buscher and the Braves were happy the team entered the final full month of the regular-season as the Braves have had much more success in the month of February than they have in January during Buscher's tenure. Bradley finished the first month of the new year with a 3-5 mark, giving the Braves a combined 19-33 (.365) record in the month of January under Buscher. The Braves own a 12-13 home mark in January in that time. February has been kinder to Bradley as they have gone 22-28 (.440) with Buscher as head coach in the second month of the year, including a 17-11 (.607) mark at home in February under Buscher.

Peters Back In The Starting Lineup

Senior Amy Peters has started each of the last 12 games after appearing in four consecutive games off the bench and is averaging 12.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game during that stretch. Peters is also averaging 1.1 assists and shooting 53.5 percent (23-for-43) from three-point range during that stretch. Prior to her recent tear, she was averaging 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and was shooting 25 percent (6-for-25) from three-point range in the first 17 games of the season.

Nelson Torches Shockers For 31

Senior Erika Nelson single handedly kept Bradley in the game at Wichita State at Jan. 19, scoring 52 percent of the Braves points with a career-high 31 against the Shockers. Nelson, who hit 10-of-14 shots (including 7-of-9 three-pointers), had the first 30-point outing by a Bradley player since Genny Mueller scored 33 against Indiana State on March 6, 2004. Her 7-of-9 shooting beyond the arc also ranks as the second best three-point field goal percentage in school history (minimum five made three-pointers).

Nelson Ties Career High

Senior Erika Nelson connected on 7-of-9 three-point attempts in the game at Wichita State (Jan. 19), marking the second time this season the guard had hit seven three-pointers in a game. Nelson joined Andrea McAllister as the only Brave to hit seven or more three-pointers in a pair of games. Earlier this season Nelson made 7-of-11 trey's against Northern Illinois, tying a Robertson Field House record. For the season, she has hit 70 three-pointers which is the third best season total in school history.

Braves Earn First Ever Win At Knapp Center

Bradley picked up its first-ever victory at the Drake Knapp Center, defeating the Bulldogs (62-57) on Jan. 8. The Braves had never won a game at the Knapp Center, which opened in 1993-94, going 0-13 in road games against Drake since defeating the Bulldogs in Des Moines, Iowa, on Feb. 25, 1993. Bradley also lost a pair of State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament games at the Knapp Center as the Braves ended a 15-game losing streak in Des Moines with Monday's victory.

Braves End Nine-Game Road Skid

Bradley ended a nine-game road losing streak with a 62-57 victory at Drake on Jan. 8. The Braves entered the game 0-7 on the season on the road and the road-losing skid dated back to a win at Creighton on March 2, 2006. The nine-game road losing streak was the longest for the Braves since dropping 18 consecutive road games between the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.

Peters' Streak Comes To An End

Senior center Amy Peters had her streak of 24 consecutive free throw made snapped at Creighton (Jan. 6) when she missed her first attempt from the line against the Bluejays. Peters, who is shooting 88.3 percent from the line this season, made her first 24 attempts of the year and is now 53-of-60 from the line in 2006-07. Her 24 consecutive free throws made is the longest streak for a Brave since Genny Mueller converted 33 consecutive free throws between the end of the 2001-02 season and beginning of the 2002-03 campaign.

0-2, Nothing New

Bradley's 0-2 start to Missouri Valley Conference play was nothing new for the Braves. Bradley has opened league play with a pair of losses for the second straight year and the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. The lone exception during that time is the 2004-05 season, when the Braves opened Valley play with a 1-1 record. In addition Bradley opened Valley play 1-3 for the third time in the last five season and has opened league action 1-3 or worse eight times in the last 10 years counting this season. Bradley has opened Valley play with a 2-2 mark just twice (2001-02 & 2004-05) since a 3-1 start to the 1996-97 campaign.

Bradley, The Opening Opponent Of Choice

The Bradley women's basketball team was the first MVC women's basketball squad to visit the McLeod Center, but the Braves weren't the first BU team to visit the facility which opened in November. The Bradley volleyball team was the first opponent of any kind to play at the McLeod Center, losing to the Panthers in the first athletic event held in the facility in November. The Bradley men's basketball was the first MVC men's basketball team to play at the McLeod Center, last week. Unfortunately for Bradley fans, Northern Iowa swept the three contests, completing the sweep with a 74-47 victory against the women's basketball team last week.

Braves Wrap Up Non-Conference Play

Bradley is 35-29 (.547) in non-conference games under head coach Paula Buscher. Since the Braves began playing a round-robin conference schedule in 1983-84, Bradley has posted a 117-96 (.549) record in non-conference games. The Braves are 17-10 (.630) in non-conference home games under Buscher. Only Lisa Boyer owned a better non-conference home winning percentage at Bradley with a 22-8 (.733) record from 1986-96. The Braves are 56-30 (.651) at home against non-conference foes since the start of the 1983-84 campaign.

Nelson Ties Field House Record For Three-Pointers

Senior guard Erika Nelson tied a Robertson Memorial Field House record with seven three-point field goals against Northern Illinois (Dec. 17). Nelson, who hit 7-of-11 three-point attempts, is the fourth Bradley player and sixth person to connect on seven three-pointers in a game at the Field House and finished with a career-high 25 points against the Huskies. She joined former Braves Genny Mueller, Michelle Nason and Nancy Zoros, along with Evansville's Alissa Kirby and Creighton's Missy Miller as the only players to hit seven three-pointers in a game at the Field House. Nelson's seven three-point baskets is tied for the second best single-game total in school history, behind Andrea McAllister's school mark of eight three-pointers set during the 1989-90 season.

Three-Pointers (Robertson Field House Single Game Mark)

3-FG Name (Team)...................................... Date

7 Erika Nelson (Bradley).................. 12/17/06

7 Genny Mueller (Bradley)..................... 3/6/04

7 Alissa Kirby (Evansville)..................... 2/2/04

7 Michelle Nason (Bradley)................... 1/26/95

7 Missy Miller (Creighton)...................... 1/7/93

7 Nancy Zoros (Bradley)...................... 2/13/88

Deadly Accurate From The Line

For the season, Bradley is shooting what would be a school record 75.5 percent from the charity stripe as a squad to rank second in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team record for free throw percentage was set during the 1993-94 season when the Braves shot 75.1 percent from the line as a team, and Bradley has just seven seasons on record shooting better than 70 percent from the free throw line as a team. Bradley shot 92.9 percent from the free throw line in the loss at Illinois-Chicago on Dec. 15, hitting 13-of-14 free throw attempts, which ranks as the seventh best effort in school history and marks the best team free throw percentage in a contest since making 15-of-16 free throw attempts against Evansville on Feb. 2, 2004. Four players currently rank among the school's career leaders in free throw percentage with senior Erika Nelson leading the way with a 77.3 career free throw percentage.

BU Career Free Throw Percentage

FG% Name (Years)................................. FT-FTA

.870 Genny Mueller (2001-05)................... 235-270

.841 Carolyn Hagerty (1993-95)................ 143-170

.787 Carol Baresch (1986-89, 90-91).......... 300-381

.773 Erika Nelson (2003-present)............ 184-238

.7695 Ashley Chelleen (2002-present)...... 207-269

.7692 Amy Peters (2003-present).............. 150-195

.7692 Liza Reed (1991-95)......................... 120-156

.756 Heather Best (1995-99)...................... 276-365

.735 Jenn Jolley (1997-01)....................... 253-344

.721 Carrie Coffman (1991-95).................. 199-276

.7198 Sara Bailey (1999-2003).................... 262-364

.7197 Devyn Flanagan (2006-present)....... 113-157

Double Trouble

Sophomore Kelly Krumwiede posted her sixth double-double of the season with a 10-point, 13-rebound effort at Drake on Jan. 8 and is currently tied for fourth in the MVC with six double-doubles this season. Her six double-doubles are the most by a Brave since Dena Williams posted eight double-doubles in 2004-05. Krumwiede ranks sixth on the team in scoring at 7.6 points per game and leads the team in rebounding (6.3 per game) and field goal percentage (.466). She has scored in double figures 10 times this season and has seven outings with 10 or more rebounds in 2006-07.

10+ Rebound Games (Season)

No. Name............................................ Season

19 Carrie Coffman................................ 1994-95

14 Roxanne Grabow............................ 1982-83

13 Eileen Yerkes.................................. 1991-92

11 Dena Williams.................................. 2004-05

11 Dena Williams.................................. 2003-04

11 Val Wancket.................................... 1990-91

11 Roxanne Grabow............................ 1981-82

10 Val Wancket.................................... 1988-89

8 Sheila Jenkins................................. 1989-90

7 Kelly Krumwiede........................... 2006-07

7 Karin Nichols................................... 1988-89

7 Lora Weber..................................... 2000-01

7 Felicia Brown.................................. 1984-85

Finding The Range

Senior Erika Nelson has connected on a team and career-high 70 three-pointers after 29 games and has nearly tripled her career total for made three-pointers from her first three seasons. Nelson entered the season with 24 made three-pointers and had a career three-point field goal percentage of 33.8 percent (24-for-71), but has made 70 of 170 three-point attempts this season (40 percent) to raise her career three-point shooting percentage to 38.2 percent.

Bradley & Instate Foes

Bradley's game at Illinois State (Jan. 28) marked the ninth different instate opponent for the Braves in 2006-07. Bradley played seven teams from the Prairie State, wrapping up its non-conference schedule with four consecutive games against team's from the state of Illinois. Adding in the MVC games against Southern Illinois and Illinois State, the Braves will play a total of nine opponents and 11 games against teams that hail from the Land of Lincoln. Bradley is 3-8 against instate foes this season and owns a 32-24 (.571) against instate Division I opponents under seventh-year head coach Paula Buscher.

Krumwiede Named Scholar-Athlete of the Week

Sophomore Kelly Krumwiede was named the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the week for the week of Dec. 7. A business management and administration major, she owns a 3.76 cumulative grade point average and posted a pair of double-doubles during the previous week's action, averaging 15.0 points and 10 rebounds per game, while shooting 54.5 percent (12-for-22) from the field as she helped Bradley to a 1-1 record. Krumwiede opened the week with a 10-point, 10-rebound effort in the Braves loss at Valparaiso. Krumwiede had arguably her best outing of the year in Bradley's victory against Loyola, posting 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting and also added 10 rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot.

Chelleen And Peters Crack Top 20

Seniors Ashley Chelleen and Amy Peters have both cracked into Bradley's career top 20 for scoring and are one of five current Braves to rank among the top 28 in scoring in program history. Chelleen is now 16th all-time with 884 career points and is followed closely by Peters in 17th place with 869 points. Senior guard Erika Nelson is the 23rd player in school history to score 800 points and she needs 17 points to move into 21st place. Senior Jen Brown (792 points) and junior Devyn Flanagan (740 points) both recently eclipsed the 700-point mark and are 25th and 28th in career scoring at BU, respectively. Below is a look at the Braves all-time leading scorers. The numbers in parenthesis () is the point total the active individuals are on pace to finish the season.

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. Ashley Chelleen (2002-present).... 884 (893)

17. Amy Peters (2003-present)............ 869 (879)

18. Roxanne Grabow (1979-83).................... 836

T19. Maureen Hogan (1978-82)....................... 831

T19. Michelle Nason (1993-95)........................ 831

21. Erika Grogg (1990-94)............................. 816

22. Kathy Stokes (1977-81)........................... 802

23. Erika Nelson (2003-present).......... 800 (814)

24. Karen Richardson (1979-81).................... 798

25. Jen Brown (2003-present)............. 792 (800)

26. Audrey DeClue (1984-88)........................ 784

27. Tammy Van Oppen (1995-97).................. 763

28. Devyn Flanagan (2004-present)..... 740 (751)

29. Heidi Nelson (1987-91)............................ 705

Krumwiede Collects All-Tournament Honors

Sophomore Kelly Krumwiede was named to the all-tournament team at the Hoops for the Cure Classic in Dallas, Texas, helping the Braves to a 1-1 record, averaging 10.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game in the two games.

Chelleen Cracks Top 10

Senior Ashley Chelleen had two blocks in Bradley's regular-season finale against Northern Iowa to crack into Bradley's top 10 season totals for blocked shots. Chelleen turned back her 37th shot of the season which ranks as the 10th best season total at Bradley and most since Dena Williams had a school record 59 rejections in 2004-05. Chelleen is sixth in career blocks and needs one blocked shot to tie Tami Van Galder for fifth in school history.

Blocked Shots In A Season

Rank Name (Year)........................... Total Blocks

1. Dena Williams (2004-05)........................... 59

2. Dena Williams (2001-02)........................... 52

3. Lynn Pastucha (1999-00).......................... 51

T4. Dena Williams (2003-04)........................... 46

T4. Eileen Yerkes (1991-92)............................ 46

T6. Heather Best (1998-99)............................. 42

T6. Heather Best (1996-97)............................. 42

8. Dena Williams (2002-03)........................... 40

9. Heather Best (1995-96)............................. 39

10. Ashley Chelleen (2006-07)...................... 37

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).............. 85

7. Karin Nicholls (1986-90)............................ 53

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 and just six returning letterwinners, 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 169 points (5.8 points per game) or nine percent of the offense and 186 rebounds (17.3 percent).

Chelleen & Peters On FG% List

Seniors Ashley Chelleen and Amy Peters both rank as two of the most accurate shooters in school history as both rank among the Braves career top 12 in field goal percentage. Chelleen entered the year second in career field goal percentage but has made 93-of-210 shots (44.3 percent) to open the season and has slipped into fifth place in school history at 50.6 percent. Peters is shooting 44.4 percent from the field this season and is currently 12th all-time in shooting accuracy at 46.2 percent.

BU Career Field Goal Percentage

FG% Name (Years)................................ FG-FGA

.563 Roxanne Grabow (1979-83).............. 311-552

.531 Kim Harris (1984-86)......................... 245-461

.523 Tami Van Galder (1991-95)................ 218-417

.512 Audrey DeClue (1984-88).................. 301-587

.50604 Ashley Chelleen (2002-present)...... 335-662

.50597 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