UW-Milwaukee Women Honored at Basketball Senior Night

A highly anticipated Milwaukee senior night was spoiled by the Golden Grizzlies, and an 80-75 loss put the Panthers in fourth place for the Horizon League tournament that starts March 2. Milwaukee started all four of their seniors as Bailey Farley, Steph Kostowicz, Kelsey Cunningham, and Jenny Linder were all huge contributors to the tough loss on Sunday afternoon.

Senior forward Jenny Linder had a game-high 23 points and six rebounds. Steph Kostowicz, senior caption filled the stat sheet up nearly reaching a triple-double scoring 15 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Star guard Bailey Farley shot an outstanding 66 percent from the field with 19 points.

“It was a great time to honor our seniors, but we also had to remember we had business to take care of,” said sophomore Lizzy Odegard.

The Golden Grizzlies came out the gate clicking on all cylinders knocking down a season-high 14 three-pointers, with five of those came in a critical fourth quarter.

“Winning that game would have made my senior class the winningest class UWM women’s basketball has had,” said senior guard Kelsey Cunningham.

This was a bittersweet game for the seniors emotionally losing the game but being honored and surrounded by family on a special night. Moments like these only come every so often so these four seniors will cherish those memories that will last a lifetime.

“Sad, pride, bittersweet, love for my teammates and family were the emotions going through the head and body,” said Kostowicz.

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These seniors have grown up in front of the eyes of the UWM community, faculty, and student body. They have matured as people and basketball players, and this senior class made their mark on the program.

“We wanted to play for our seniors, and give them one last win on our home court,” said Odegard.

Although the women’s team lost Sunday afternoon, they look to bounce back in the conference tournament. The Milwaukee women’s basketball team will play Youngstown State for their first game March 4 at 1 p.m.

“I’ve changed tremendously. I would call it growing up. I’ve learned to pick my battles and that the best way to succeed,” said Kostowicz.

The mature level as a player will grow every year and as a senior, a lot of the responsibility falls on the players who have been there the longest.

“Basketball has taught me a lot in that self-confidence is one of the most important qualities to becoming successful and be happy in life,” said Farley.

People fail to realize that basketball and other sports in general will help with life skills as well. Helping young student’s athletes prepare for the trail and tribulation that life can bring.

Working with different people who are from different cultures, with different backgrounds will help benefit you in the work world.

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“Our team needs to be more detail-oriented such as taking care of the basketball, running plays right, and focus on carrying over what we practice into the game,” said assistant coach Jamie Gluesing.

This game could carry over into postseason play if the women’s team is not ready to play it could be a short week in Detroit. Details are one of the main focuses coaches preach in practice because they can be the difference between winning and losing.

“Overwhelmed with happiness for all the memories that playing for Milwaukee has given me and with the love, I have for my team,” said Kelsey Cunningham.

The younger players like Jamie Reit, Brandi Bisping and Odegard also have a lot to play for considering that this can be the last game together on the court. As a player, of course, you want to win but when you have some extra motivation or fuel behind you it can make it a little easier to produce and be successful.

“I knew it was most likely the last time I would ever play in my home gym with the unbelievable support from our city,” said Farley.