February 9, 2008 - courtesy of Maryville University sports information
MARYVILLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TIES ALL-TIME DIII
REGULAR-SEASON CONFERENCE WIN STREAK

GREENVILLE, Ill.-The Maryville University women's basketball team's regular-season conference win streak reached 72 games, tying the all-time NCAA Division III record set by Emmanuel College from 2000-06 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. Junior Allie Wilhelm recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Saints to a 63-49 victory at Greenville College, brining their record to 17-3 overall and 12-0 in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) play.

Maryville started the game on an 8-0 run after a steal by junior Sara Wemlinger on Greenville's first possession. The Saints extended their lead to as many as 16 points in the first half and held a 12-point advantage heading into halftime. They finished the first half with 10 points in the paint and 11 points off turnovers. Wilhelm netted nine of her game-high 20 points in the first half, shooting 3-of-4 (.750) from the field and 3-of-4 (.750) from the charity stripe.

Greenville cut the Saints' lead to single digits (30-22) less than two minutes into the second half, but a momentum shift and an 8-0 run quickly brought the Saints lead back to 16 points by the 16:35 mark. Maryville's largest lead of the game was 25 points at 5:03 in the second half, as they held Greenville to only 27.0 percent (17-of-63) shooting for the game, including 0-of-5 from behind the arc.

The Saints finished 38.5 percent (20-of-52) from the field, 33.3 percent (3-of-9) from three-point range and 76.9 percent (20-of-26) from the free throw line. They also out rebounded the Panthers 45-39.

Wilhelm finished 7-of-11 (.636) from the field and 6-of-8 (.750) from the charity stripe, while also tallying three blocks. Junior Megan McCabe scored 16 points on 5-of-8 (.625) shooting, including 2-of-2 (1.000) from behind the arc and 4-of-4 (1.000) from the free throw line. Senior Toni Picerno added 10 points and four rebounds, while junior Samantha Maines had four points and six rebounds.

Greenville was led by Meredith Banal and Ashley Alltop with 10 points apiece. Alltop also added six rebounds, while Tricia Frost had four points and five rebounds.

Head coach Chris Ellis and his squad will now look for their 73^rd regular season conference victory on Wendesday, February 13, when they travel across town to take on rival Fontbonne University in a 6:00 pm SLIAC game.