Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa Program Info & Table of Contents 2010 QUICK FACTS Location...... Charleston, Illinois Enrollment...... 11,966 Founded...... 1895 1-3 37-43 Nickname...... Panthers Colors...... Blue and Gray Conference...... Ohio Valley (14th year) President...... Dr. William Perry GENERAL INFORMATION THE OVC, SERIES HISTORY & STATS Director of Athletics...... Barbara Burke Quick Facts...... 1 2009 OVC Standings & Honorees...... 37 NCAA Faculty Rep...... Dr. Gail Richard Lantz Arena...... 2 2009 OVC Statistics...... 38-39 Associate AD...... Mark Bonnstetter Media Info & Guide Credits...... 3 2010 Opponent Info...... 40 Associate AD...... John Smith All-Time Series History...... 41 Associate AD...... Rich Moser 2009 EIU Results & Highlights...... 42 Associate AD...... Tracy Scott 2009 EIU Statistics...... 43 Assistant AD/SWA...... Mary Wallace Assistant AD...... Dave Kidwell Assistant AD...... Joel Moersch Dir. of Academic Services...... Cindy Tozer Director of Marketing...... Ryan Gilmore Business Manager...... Kim Bagwell Ticket Manager...... Cindy Bayes

COACHING STAFF 4-7 Head Coach...... Brady Sallee Alma Mater (Year)..... Thomas More (1993) EIU Record...... 73-77 (6th year) Career Record...... Same COACHING STAFF Office Phone...... (217) 581-6008 Head Coach Brady Sallee...... 4-5 44-60 E-Mail...... [email protected] Lee Buchanan & Jackie Moore...... 6 Office Fax...... (271) 581-7001 Quacy Timmons & Support Staff...... 7

Associate Head Coach...... Lee Buchanan Alma Mater...... Murray State (1983) Office Phone...... (217) 581-7617 E-Mail...... [email protected] RECORDS & PROGRAM HISTORY Individual & Team Game Records...... 44 Assistant Coach...... Quacy Timmons Season Top 10 & Freshman Records.....45 Alma Mater...... Indiana (1998) Career Top 10...... 46 Office Phone...... (217) 581-8505 1,000 Point Club...... 47-49 E-Mail...... [email protected] Annual Leaders...... 50-51 Year-by-Year Results...... 52-58 Assistant Coach...... Jackie Moore Coaching History & Memorable Games....59. Alma Mater...... Christian Brothers (2005) Awards & Honors...... 60 Office Phone...... (217) 581-3411 8-36 E-Mail...... [email protected]

Athletic Trainer...... Sam Laingen SEASON & PLAYER INFORMATION Strength & Conditioning Coach... Eric Cash EIU’s GPA among tops in the country...... 8 BBall Office Systems Asst....Brenda Wilson 2009 Season Recap & Notes...... 9 Equipment Mananger...... Jeff Brown 2010 Season Outlook...... 10 Team Manager...... LaKiva Hudson Roster & Pronunciations...... 11 Team Manager...... Joshua Jackson Marie Baker...... 12-13 Team Manager...... Monee Ray Sports Info...... Ben Turner Madeline Kish...... 14-15 TV-Radio PBP/Analyst...... John Twork Maggie Kloak...... 16-17 Chantelle Pressley...... 18-19 Dominique Sims...... 20-21 PROGRAM INFO Lauren Sturtevant...... 22-23 Home Facility...... Lantz Arena Ashley Thomas...... 24-25 Capacity...... 5,300 Pilar Walker...... 26-27 First Year of Basketball...... 1973-74 Mariah King...... 28 61-76 Overall Record...... 468-509 (36 years) Bianca McGee...... 29 Division I Record...... 338-429 (26 years) Sydney Mitchell...... 30 Ohio Valley Record...... 95-135 (13 years) Ta’Kenya Nixon...... 31 OVC Tournament Record...... 4-8 Kelsey Wyss...... 32 Letter-winners Returning/Lost...... 8/5 Academic Class Photos...... 33 Starters Returning/Lost...... 1/4 OVC Tournament Photo Gallery...... 34-35 EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Newcomers...... 5 Radio & TV Photo Roster...... 36 This is Eastern Illinois...... 61-76

Eastern Illinois University aaa www.EIUpanthers.com 

Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa Media Info PANTHER BASKETBALL ON THE AIR

For the seventh consecutive season, WEIU-TV will be telecasting EIU home games. Seven regular-season contests are set to air this year. A program-high 10 games were televised on WEIU-TV in 2008-09 and the Panthers also played on ESPNU and Comcast Sports South. Should the Panthers host a first-round game in the OVC Tournament, that contest may also be carried byWEIU-TV , as it has been the last two seasons. WEIU-TV games can be seen live in several media markets across Eastern, Central and Southern Illinois as well as Western Indiana. WEIU-TV can also be accessed as a local DISH network channel in those same markets. Women’s basketball will also be featured prominently on the OVC’s multi-media website, www.ovcsports.tv, this season. Fans can watch all EIU home games and road OVC contests live on their computer via an on-demand webcast. Lastly, WEIU-FM (88.9) will once again broadcast all EIU women’s basketball regular-season and postseason games. An Internet stream of the audio is available at www.weiufm.com. During the 2006-07 season, ESPNU televised the Panthers’ Feb. 11 victory against UT Martin at Lantz Arena. In January 2009, ESPNU carried EIU’s victory at Jacksonville State.

2009-10 TELEVISION GAMES... Dec. 9 vs Western Michigan, 5:30 p.m. – WEIU Dec. 12 vs Indiana State, 4 p.m. – WEIU Jan. 2 vs Jacksonville State, 4 p.m. – WEIU Jan. 4 vs Tennessee Tech, 5:30 p.m. – WEIU Jan. 23 vs UT Martin, 4 p.m. – WEIU Feb. 13 vs Eastern Kentucky, 4 p.m. – WEIU Feb. 27 vs Tennessee State, 4 p.m. – WEIU

EIU SPORTS INFORMATION STAFF

RICH MOSER BEN TURNER BART RETTBERG SANDY KING Associate AD/Media & PR Assistant SID Assistant SID Photographer Men’s BBall Contact Women’s BBall Contact Computer Statistician & Graphic Designer (217) 581-7480 (217) 581-7020 (217) 581-6408 (217) 581-7761 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Media Guide Credits About the Front Cover The 2009-10 Eastern Illinois University women’s basketball The 2009-10 senior class – Marie Baker, Maggie Kloak, Domi- media guide is a product of the EIU Sports Information Department, nique Sims, Lauren Sturtevant and Ashley Thomas – are featured on supervised by Rich Moser. the front cover. This year’s theme is “Success is Our Choice.” The Writing and design by Ben Turner. Inside and outside covers – as five elements of building a successful basketball program includes: well as pages 2, 34 and 35 – designed by Sandy King, EIU athletics getting stronger in the weight room (Kloak), remaining fit through photographer and graphic design artist. All photos of current players conditioning (Thomas), making the grade in the classroom (Sturte- by Sandy King. Other photos courtesy of Steven Haas, Anne O’Neil, vant), being active in the community (Baker) and winning games Pat Osterman, Bart Rettberg, Megan Sparks, Ben Turner and the (Sims). The five seniors are pictured in these five elements. EIU athletic department archives. Printing by MultiAd of Peoria, Ill. Interviews Credentials

All interview requests must go through Assistant Sports Infor- Working media should make arrangements for credentials by mation Director Ben Turner. Head coach Brady Sallee, his staff and contacting the Sports Information OfficeAT LEAST 24 hours before players are available after practices (as player schedules permit) and the game. Seating will be assigned courtside. Game programs, after games. NO interviews will be done prior to a game on game game notes, rosters and statistics will be available during the day days. Information on women’s basketball can be found at EIUpan- of a game. thers.com or by contacting Ben Turner. The Eastern Illinois Sports Information Department is located in Room 2240 of Lantz Arena.

Eastern Illinois University aaa www.EIUpanthers.com  Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa Head Coach Brady Sallee When Brady Sallee took over the Eastern Illinois women’s basketball program in April 2004 he understood the challenge ahead. Since day one Sallee began steering the program in the direction he wanted to take. “Our challenge is to turn Eastern Illinois into a championship caliber program. Once I saw the resources available I thought we can make this happen,” Sallee says. “Whatever happened in the past is not any concern. From April 23, the day I was hired, our attitude has started to change. I want us to keep moving towards that attitude it takes to win championships.” In 2009, Sallee graduated his first EIU recruiting class that together was the driving force behind a program resurgence. In the last two seasons, the Panthers have compiled 43 victories and made back-to-back appearances in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship game. The memorable 2009 campaign was highlighted by 24 overall victories and a 20-game home win streak that ranked as high as fourth nationally. Those 24 wins were a program-high in the Division I era (1983-present) and one shy of the school record. Eastern went 14-1 at Lantz Arena in 2008-09, winning its first 13 home games of the season. After entering the year with a seven-game home win streak, the Panthers won a program-record 20 straight games at Lantz before the streak finally came to an end with an overtime loss in late February. Only Connecticut (36), Maryland (31) and Stanford (26) had longer home win streaks when EIU’s was snapped. Eastern went 12-2 over the final six weeks of the season. Both losses were decided in overtime. Unfortunately, EIU’s 24 overall victories were the most among teams that were not invited to a national postseason tournament. The Panthers once again established a number of new records in 2009. Rachel Galligan closed out her stellar career by breaking the program’s single-season and all-time scoring records. She was named First Team All-OVC for the third straight year, becoming the first player in program history to be a three-time First Team All-Conference honoree. She was also selected as a WBCA Region Four All-American finalist. Her all-around excellence as a student-athlete landed her among the 10 finalists nationally for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. Brady Sallee With five Panthers connecting on at least 15 3-pointers, EIU made 180 as a team to establish a new program record. Eastern’s 2,231 points were the most in the Division I era and the single-season blocked shots record was eclipsed for the second year in a row. Eastern emerged as the best all-around defensive team in the league, ranking tops in scoring 6th Year defense, field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal percentage defense and fewest rebounds allowed per game. With Galligan and Megan Edwards being the individual league-leaders in field A. BRADY SALLEE’S FILE goal and 3-point percentage, respectively, the Panthers also topped the conference in both shooting EDUCATION: categories. Thomas More College (Crestview Hills, Ky.) In the classroom, EIU has achieved unprecedented success the last four seasons. Eastern has B.A., 1993 captured four consecutive OVC Academic Achievement Awards for women’s basketball, posting the highest percentage of players on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the conference. The Panthers’ 3.423 team GPA in 2008-09 was ninth best in the country. Among the WBCA Academic Top 25, EIU ranked COACHING Résumé (SEASONS): seventh nationally (with a 3.475 team GPA) in 2007-08 after finishing 10th in the country (3.442 GPA) April 2004 - Hired as head coach at a year earlier. Eastern Illinois University A second-place finish in the final OVC standings and an appearance in the league tournament championship game highlighted the 2008 breakthrough season. Eastern won 19 games and scored 2003-2004: Assistant coach, 2,117 points, both high-water marks in the program’s OVC era (1997-present) prior to 2008-09. The Panthers ranked seventh nationally in free throw percentage en route to breaking the program’s single- East Carolina University season records for makes, attempts and percentage. Eastern was also 20th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage. 1996-2002: Assistant coach, To reach the championship game of the OVC Tournament, EIU knocked off top-seeded Southeast Kent State University Missouri – the two-time defending tournament champs – in the semifinals, winning 52-40. The Panthers held SEMO to 11 field goals, the fewest ever in an OVC Tournament game. The 40 points, meanwhile, represents EIU’s top defensive effort against a Division I opponent in the program’s OVC era. That 1994-1995: Assistant coach, victory not only sent the Panthers to their first-ever OVC Tournament title game but also gave EIU at Idaho State University least one victory against every league foe in 2007-08. Eastern’s offensive excellence highlighted the 1990-1993: Student Assistant coach, 2007 season. Led by the OVC’s top-scoring tandem Thomas More College (Rachel Galligan and Jessica Huffman), the Panthers were one of the top scoring teams in the nation and posted the program’s first 2,000-point season since PERSONAL: 1990. With freshman Ashley Thomas and sophomore Married to the former Mandy Nance Ellen Canale ranking third and fifth on the team in Daughters: Avery and Taryn scoring, respectively, four of the team’s top five Pictured (Left-Right): scorers were underclassmen. Brady & Mandy with their daughters Avery & Huffman broke nine EIU freshman records and Taryn. Photo courtesy of Lisa Braden. followed in Galligan’s footsteps by winning OVC Freshman of the Year honors. Sallee’s 2006 team relied heavily on the contributions of freshmen yet still rewrote the EIU record book. The Panthers were the only Division I team in the nation that featured three freshmen who had started 25-plus games. Edwards and Canale started every game in their inaugural seasons as Panthers while Galligan (25 starts) took home OVC Freshman of the Year honors. She became the first player to win an individual award in the program’s OVC era. Galligan’s single-season record 61 blocked shots, which ranked her sixth nationally among freshmen, were the primary reason why EIU also set a new single-season team record for blocks. The Panthers played their best in December and January, posting a 9-7 record. Eastern matched

 EIU Women’s Basketball aaa Success is Our Choice Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa Head Coach Brady Sallee its best-ever OVC start (4-1) and won six straight home games during the first two months. Sallee’s tenure at Eastern started strong in the closing months of 2004. The Panthers posted a 7-4 nonconference record, the best mark by an EIU team since joining the OVC. Eastern also won each of its five non-conference home games and finished with a winning record at Lantz Arena for the first time since the 1997- 98 campaign. The Panthers made 172 3-pointers in 2005. And for the first time in school history, four different EIU players made 30-plus 3-pointers. Sallee is the OVC’s Women’s Basketball Coaches Association DI Conference Captain and represents the league’s coaches as it relates to legislative issues and continued growth of the game. As a member of the USA Today/ESPN Board of Coaches from 2007-09, he voted in the weekly Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. The sixth head coach in EIU history, Sallee was previously the recruiting coordinator at three NCAA Division I programs, bringing in high-caliber players each time to assist the turnaround. Prior to being hired at EIU, he spent two years as the top assistant at East Carolina, helping the Pirates to a 26-30 record. That was a significant improvement after winning just six games in 2002, the year before Sallee joined a new coaching staff. His first recruiting class ranked among the nation’s Top 50 according to the All-Star Girls Report. In 2004, ECU finished at .500 and narrowly missed out on a WNIT berth. For seven years he helped transform Kent State into a perennial Mid- American Conference contender, winning five regular-season championships and three tournament titles. The Golden Flashes participated in the NCAA Tournament four of his seven years, and posted a combined record of 155- 56. Sallee also spent two years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Idaho State. Two Bengal players earned Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year honors – one eventually becoming the Big Sky Player Program Records During Sallee’s Tenure – Team Season Records – of the Year – and a third was All-Big Sky her freshman year. Record New Mark Season(s) His proven track record as a recruiter and standout coach with Midwest Division I era (1983-present) Victories 24 2009 ties seemed like a perfect fit with Eastern Illinois. Home Win Streak 20 2008-09 The 39-year-old head coach also wants to give EIU a reputation. Free Throws Made (2x) 556 2008 “People will know Eastern Illinois for how hard we play, whether it’s Free Throws Attempted (2x) 707 2008 working hard in a press, half-court defense or during practice. That is what I Free Throw % .786 2008 want to hang our hat on when others talk about Eastern women’s basketball,” Blocked Shots (3x) 116 2009 3-Pointers Made (2x) 180 2009 Sallee says. “In addition, I want our program known as a class organization. – Team Game Records – I want our players to be positive role models in the community and on Record New Mark Season campus.” Most Combined Points 201 2007 Not only does Sallee stress discipline on the court, he requires it in the Free Throws Attempted (3x) 48 2009 classroom as well. Blocked Shots 11 2009 “My players will expect success. They will be held accountable for their Points in an OVC Game 106 2006 – Individual Career Records – classroom success, their work ethic and their social responsibilities. The Record Player New Mark Season players that will help lead the program back into the national spotlight will Points Rachel Galligan 1,891 2009 have the self discipline to excel in the classroom, in the Charleston community Game Played Lindsey Kluempers 121 2009 and on the basketball floor.” Blocks Rachel Galligan 185 2008 A native of Lexington, Ky., Sallee graduated from Thomas More College FTs Made (2x) Rachel Galligan 523 2008 in 1993, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He earned FTs Attempted (2x) Rachel Galligan 662 2005 FG % Pam O’Connor .586 2005 a baseball scholarship and was a four-year starting pitcher for Thomas More. – Individual Season Records – Sallee finished his senior year with an 8-1 record and was voted the team’s Record Player New Mark Season Pitcher of the Year. Points Rachel Galligan 582 2009 While at Thomas More he served as a student assistant with the FTs Made Rachel Galligan (2x) 160 2008 women’s basketball team. He recruited one player who eventually became FTs Attempted Rachel Galligan 204 2007 the school’s all-time leading scorer and ranked among the NCAA Division 3FG % Lindsey Kluempers .477 2008 Blocks Rachel Galligan 61 2006 III Top 20 scorers all four years she was at Thomas More. – Individual Freshman-Season Records – He and his wife Mandy have two daughters, Avery and Taryn. Record Player New Mark Season Points Jessica Huffman 490 2007 Pts Per Game Jessica Huffman 16.9 2007 FGs Made Jessica Huffman 169 2007 FGs Attempted Jessica Huffman 401 2007 FTs Made Jessica Huffman 111 2007 FTs Attempted Jessica Huffman 156 2007 3FGs Made Jessica Huffman 41 2007 3FGs Attempts Jessica Huffman 117 2007 Steals Jessica Huffman 58 2007 FT % Megan Edwards .852 2006 Blocks Rachel Galligan 61 2006 – Individual Game Records – Record Player New Mark Season(s) Points Jessica Huffman 38 2007 FGs Attempted Jessica Huffman 29 2007 FG % Seven Panthers 1.000 Last Five 3FGs Made Megan Sparks 7 2006 3FG % Two Panthers 1.000 2008 & 2009 Blocks Rachel Galligan 6 2006 FTs Made Rachel Galligan 15 2008 FTs Attempted Rachel Galligan 18 2008 Brady Sallee & the 2009 senior class, his first EIU recruits. FT % Two Panthers 1.000 2005 & 2009

Eastern Illinois University aaa www.EIUpanthers.com  Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa Coaching Staff

Lee Jackie Buchanan Moore Associate Assistant Coach Head Coach Third Year Third Year Christian Bros. (‘05) Murray State (‘83)

Lee Buchanan is in his third year as a member of head coach Jackie Moore is in her third year as a member of head coach Brady Brady Sallee’s staff. Sallee’s staff. Buchanan’s presence made an immediate impact on the program. Along with assisting in recruiting, Moore is in charge of travel ar- The Panthers have posted a combined record of 43-22 during his two rangements and setting up team meals. On the court, she works pri- seasons on the bench, improving on a 10-19 mark in 2007. marily with the guards. The Panthers led the OVC in field goal and He spearheads the coaching staff’s preparation of opponent scout- 3-point field goal percentage in 2009. ing reports and EIU game plans. The Panthers were the top defensive Moore came to EIU fresh off a year-long internship with the Detroit team in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2009, leading the league in in Shock and Detroit Pistons. scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal per- She was an All-Gulf South Conference honoree at Christian Broth- centage defense and fewest rebounds allowed per game. ers University, which is based in Memphis, and later played profession- After spending his first year at Eastern as an assistant coach, he ally for the Power Basket Tigers, a professional team in Austria. was promoted to associate head coach in the summer of 2008. Moore played at Christian Brothers from 2002-05 before heading Buchanan brings a bevy of coaching experience to campus, hav- to Europe for her stint with the Tigers. As a sophomore, she helped lead ing been the head coach at four different Division II or NAIA schools. CBU to a Gulf South Conference West Division title and appearance in He also spent one year (2002-03) as the associate head coach at the the NCAA DII Tournament. She garnered All-Conference honors a year University of Southern Mississippi. later. While the head coach at Missouri-St. Louis from 2003-07, Buchan- Moore worked some notable camps – including those sponsored an brought his team to Lantz Arena for three consecutive seasons for a by the University of Michigan, Richard Hamilton, Nancy Lieberman, November exhibition game. He has also been a head coach at Pfeiffer and the Pistons and Shock – before beginning her internship with Pal- University (Misenheimer, N.C.), Francis Marion University (Florence, ace Sports Entertainment in August of 2006. As a Brand Marketing and S.C.) and Brescia University (Owensboro, Ky.). Year-Around-Hoops intern for the two Detroit professional basketball During his 19 years as a collegiate franchises, she performed a long list of duties at games, special events, head coach, Buchanan’s teams have camps, clinics and other promotions. compiled a 353-204 record (.637), post- She is a native of Windsor, Ontario, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Christian Brothers in May of 2005. ing winning marks in 15 of those sea- “Jackie was someone who shot to the top of the candidate list sons. He has also led six squads to quickly,” Sallee says. “She has shown a willingness to make sacrifices national tournament appearances, three in order to be a college coach, and it was that aspect of her personality each at the NCAA Division II and NAIA that reminded me of my start in college coaching. I was impressed with Division II levels. her eagerness and excitement about our program, and I believe she Buchanan enjoyed his greatest suc- has a great future ahead of her.” cess at Brescia (1986-98) and FMU (1998-02). An NAIA Mid-South Region Coach of the Year honor in 1995 marked the first of four consecutive years that he claimed a notable award for his work on the sidelines. Brescia made three con- secutive trips to the NAIA DII tourney, in- cluding an Elite Eight and No. 3 national ranking in 1997. He left Owensboro as the winningest coach (230-118) in school history. At FMU, his team was ranked among the NCAA DII Top 25 all four years. The Patriots ran the table in league play (16-0) in 1999 en route to winning the program’s first Peach Belt Conference title and also led the nation in 3-point percentage that year. He compiled a 92-29 record and led FMU to three consecutive Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA DII tourney before moving on to Southern Miss. “Lee’s résumé speaks for itself; I’m thrilled to be able to attract someone with his experience and success to EIU,” Sallee says. “The fact that he walks in the door with 350-plus wins under his belt was a huge factor, but what sold me from day one was Lee’s character. He and I have very similar philosophies on the way the game should be played and I believe he will make a huge impact on our program.” Buchanan and his wife Lisa are the parents of a son, Austin.

 EIU Women’s Basketball aaa Success is Our Choice Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa Coaching Staff

Quacy Timmons Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordintor Fourth Year Indiana (‘98)

Quacy Timmons, a veteran of the WNBA and former assistant coach at Indiana University and Austin Peay, joined head coach Brady Sallee’s staff in June of 2006. The 6-foot-5 Timmons naturally coaches the EIU post players. She also serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator. She came to EIU as Quacy Barnes but changed her name in September 2007 when she wed Desmond Timmons in Michigan. Desmond currently works for KBR, organizing and maintaining recreational centers for U.S. Military troops based overseas. “Adding Quacy to our staff was simply a home run,” Sallee says. “She is a true professional and the expertise she brought to our post play and recruiting efforts has proved to be invaluable. Quacy is a perfect fit for our program and I look forward to her and her son, TJ, being a part of our EIU family for a long time.” During her tenure at EIU, Timmons helped forward Rachel Galligan, a 2009 graduate, develop from the Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year into a three-time First Team All-OVC performer. Galligan broke EIU single-season and all-time scoring records as a senior after leading the OVC in scoring in 2008. Timmons during her WNBA career with the Seattle Storm. Photo courtesy Maggie Kloak also emerged as one of the top post players in the of the WNBA and Indiana University. league the last two seasons. She enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2008, carrying the Panthers offensively in November and December while Galligan was injured, scoring in double-figures in six straight games. Other notable achievements by EIU post players have come from Marie Baker and Julie Lipperd. Baker scored nine straight points in a two- minute span late in the first half of a December 2007 win against Tennessee State. A year earlier in a victory against Eastern Kentucky, Lipperd tied the program single-game field goal percentage record by connecting on all five of her attempts. Lipperd’s offensive contributions helped EIU withstand a furious EKU run and led to a 21-point counter punch. The Indiana graduate became the first Hoosier selected in the WNBA draft when she was picked 22nd overall by the Sacramento Monarchs in 1998. She also suited up for the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury during her WNBA career and played professionally in China, Israel, Italy, South Korea and Turkey as well. ERIC CASH CINDY TOZER In 2000 she led the Storm in blocked shots – averaging more than Strength Director of a block per game – while starting 23 of the squad’s 32 contests. She contributed a career-high 6.7 points per game that season. & Conditioning Coach Academic Services A two-time All-Big Ten selection as an upperclassman, including First Team honors as a senior in 1998, Timmons finished her career as IU’s all-time leader in blocked shots (269). She also ranks among the Hoosiers’ career Top 10 in points, field goal percentage, free throws made and rebounds. As a junior, Timmons blocked an IU record 95 shots, including a single-game high 10 in a win over Youngstown State. A year later she was named to the WNIT All-Tournament Team after leading the Hoosiers to a berth in the postseason semifinals. Following the completion of her professional playing career, Timmons returned to her alma mater in 2003 and spent two years as an assistant coach. A native of Benton Harbor, Mich., Timmons is the mother of a son, TJ, who continues to develop into an impressive young basketball player. She and Desmond also welcomed their first child, a girl, into their SAM LAINGEN BRENDA WILSON family in January 2009. They named her Taryn. WBB Athletic Trainer Office Systems Asst.

Eastern Illinois University aaa www.EIUpanthers.com  Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa Academic Excellence Panthers Post Nation’s Ninth Best GPA; Claim Fourth Straight OVC Team Academic Achievement Award Eastern Illinois has maintained its dual excellence on the court and in the classroom in 2009, posting the ninth highest grade The Nation’s Best Team GPAs (NCAA Division I) point average in the country among NCAA Division I programs School GPA Conference Previous^ according to data compiled by the Women’s Basketball Coaches 1. Indiana State 3.645 Missouri Valley 3rd Association. 2. North Dakota 3.580 Great West NR During the 2008-09 school year, the Panthers recorded a 3. South Dakota State 3.571 Summit League 1st 3.423 team GPA. The program’s 3.58 GPA during the spring se- 4. Montana State 3.501 Big Sky 11th mester was second best among all EIU athletic teams. Eastern has posted a national Top 25 GPA each of the last 5. Bowling Green 3.470 Mid-American NR three seasons. The Panthers broke into the WBCA Academic Top 6. Northern Iowa 3.437 Missouri Valley 6th 25 following the 2006-07 school year, ranking 10th with a 3.442 7. Manhattan 3.432 Metro Atlantic 8th mark. The 2007-08 team rose to seventh nationally with a 3.475 8. Western Carolina 3.428 Southern 5th GPA. 9. EASTERN ILLINOIS 3.423 Ohio Valley 7th The program has also won four consecutive OVC Team Aca- 10. Eastern Washington 3.422 Big Sky 4th demic Achievement Awards. Eleven of the 14 players on the 2009 team posted GPAs above 3.0. 11. New Mexico 3.414 Mountain West 22nd 12. DePaul 3.402 Big East NR Panthers with GPAs Better 13. Utah Valley State 3.390 Great West 9th 14. Kansas State 3.374 Big 12 2nd than 3.0 in 2008-09 15. Wichita State 3.361 Missouri Valley 23rd Player FA ‘08 SP ‘09 ‘08-09 Ellen Canale 4.0 4.0 4.0 16. Lehigh 3.356 Patriot League NR Ashley Thomas 4.0 3.8 3.9 17. Saint Bonaventure 3.353 Atlantic 10 15th Lindsey Kluempers 3.77 4.0 3.85 Cornell 3.353 Ivy League NR. Megan Edwards 3.43 4.0 3.69 19. Villanova 3.346 Big East NR Lauren Sturtevant 3.43 3.79 3.61 20. Evansville 3.336 Missouri Valley NR Madeline Kish 3.2 4.0 3.6 21. Oakland 3.323 Summit League 20th Maggie Kloak 3.6 3.6 3.6 22. Charleston Southern 3.320 Big South NR Dominique Sims 3.33 3.83 3.58 Columbia 3.320 Ivy League 25th Marie Baker 3.31 3.8 3.57 24. Wisconsin-Green Bay 3.317 Horizon League NR Julie Lipperd 3.47 3.55 3.5 25. South Dakota 3.311 Great West NR Rachel Galligan 3.25 3.67 3.43 ^Previous = 2007-08 WBCA Academic Top 25 Ranking.

The Panthers continue to be exemplary student-athletes on the court and in the classroom.

 EIU Women’s Basketball aaa Success is Our Choice Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa 2009 Season Recap – Panthers Enjoy Memorable & Historic Season – PREMIER PERFORMANCES – Career Double-Doubles – Twenty-four overall victories, a 20-game home win streak that ranked as high as fourth 17 ...... RACHEL GALLIGAN nationally and a second straight appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Last: at Eastern Kentucky (28 pts/13 reb) 5-14-09 title game highlighted Eastern Illinois’ memorable 2008-09 season. 3 ...... ELLEN CANALE The Panthers’ 24 wins were a program-high in the Division I era (1983-present) and Murray State (19 pts/10 reb) 2-21-09 one shy of the school record. 2 ...... MAGGIE KLOAK Eastern (24-9, 15-5 OVC – second place) went 14-1 at Lantz Arena, winning its first 13 Morehead State (20 pts/11 reb) 1-17-09 home games of the season. After entering the year with a seven-game home win streak, 1 ...... DOMINIQUE SIMS the Panthers won 20 straight games at Lantz before the streak finally came to an end in Tennessee Tech (19 pts/10 reb) 12-6-07 late February. Only Connecticut (36), Maryland (31) and Stanford (26) had longer home – Career 30+ Point Games – win streaks when EIU’s was snapped. 3 ...... RACHEL GALLIGAN Eastern went 12-2 over the final six weeks of the season. Both losses were decided in – Career 20+ Point Games – overtime. Unfortunately, EIU’s 24 overall victories were the most among teams that were 33 ...... RACHEL GALLIGAN (13 in 08-09) not invited to a national postseason tournament. The WNIT did grant bids to a Southeast- 3 ...... MEGAN EDWARDS ern Conference team with a 15-15 overall record and a Big 12 Conference team with a 2 ...... MAGGIE KLOAK (1 in 08-09) 4-12 league mark. 2 ...... ASHLEY THOMAS The Panthers defeated Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State to reach the finals of – Career 10+ Point Games – the OVC Tournament for the second year in a row. However, EIU was upset by fifth-seeded 101 ...... rACHEL GALLIGAN (31 in 08-09) Austin Peay in double overtime in the championship game. The Lady Govs beat the four, 39 ...... Ellen canale (16 in 08-09) one and two seeds in less than a week during their miraculous run to the tourney title. 30 ...... MEGAN EDWARDS (10 in 08-09) Despite losing the championship game, EIU was still a part of one of the most memo- 26 ...... ASHLEY THOMAS (6 in 08-09) rable days in the history of OVC basketball. Both the women’s and men’s tournament title 25 ...... Dominique Sims (12 in 08-09) games at the Sommet Center in downtown Nashville on March 7 were decided in double 19 ...... MAGGIE KLOAK (9 in 08-09) ...... (4 in 08-09) OT. 12 Lindsey kluempers 2 ...... MARIE BAKER Eastern once again established a number of new records. Senior Rachel Galligan 1 ...... JULIE LIPPERD broke the program’s single-season and all-time scoring records. She was named First Team All-OVC for the third straight year and a WBCA Region Four All-American finalist. 2008-09 Starting Lineups Her all-around excellence as a student-athlete landed her among the 10 finalists nationally Edwards, Galligan, Canale, Sims, Kluempers for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. Galligan ended the season on a scoring tear, averag- 28 Times...... EIU Record: 23-5 ing 23.5 points per game on 69 percent shooting over the final eight games. Edwards, Galligan, Canale, Sims, Kloak Point guard Megan Edwards and Galligan started every game of 2008-09. Fellow 1 Time (at Jax State)...... EIU Record: 1-0 senior Lindsey Kluempers saw her consecutive games played streak end at 101 after Edwards, Galligan, Sims, Kluempers, Thomas breaking her pinkie finger in the Dec. 13 win against IPFW. After missing only two games, 1 Time (at Bradley)...... EIU Record: 0-1 she returned to the lineup and finished out the year as a starter. The 121 she games played Edwards, Galligan, Canale, Sims, Thomas during her career represents a new program record. 1 Time (at Indiana State)...... EIU Record: 0-1 Edwards was tops in the OVC in assist-to-turnover ratio the entire season. She led Edwards, Galligan, Canale, Thomas, Kloak the team in minutes played by a wide margin and connected on 53 3-pointers, becoming 1 Time (at Illinois State)...... EIU Record: 0-1 just the fourth player in program history to make 50-plus triples in a year. She played the Edwards, Galligan, Canale, Kluempers, Lipperd starring role in home wins against SMU (the eventual Conference USA regular-season 1 Time (Senior Day vs MSU).... EIU Record: 0-1 champion) and rival Southeast Missouri. She was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field against Consecutive Games Started SEMO. Megan Edwards – 57 But practically every player among the regular rotation had at least one game where Rachel Galligan – 49 she emerged as the premier Panther. Ellen Canale willed EIU to a big road win a More- Ellen Canale – 29 head State on Feb. 12 with a career-high 19 points. Dominique Sims lit up Jacksonville Lindsey Kluempers – 19 State for 19 points, tying her personal-best, on 8-of-12 shooting in a nationally-televised game on ESPNU. Ashley Thomas scored 12 key points in the tourney semifinal win ranked Top 50 in the Nation against TSU in her first significant action since returning from a back injury. Maggie Kloak Statistic Rank Avg/Pct posted a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double in a home win against Morehead, scoring 14 Assists per game 9th 16.4 points in the final eight minutes of the first half. Kluempers hit clutch 3-pointers in home 3-Point FG % Defense 10th .269 wins against Illinois-Chicago and Tennessee Tech, and helped EIU extend the tourney title Field Goal % 21st .446 game into overtime with another big triple in the final minute of regulation. 3-Point FG % 25th .361 Freshmen Chantelle Pressley and Pilar Walker provided energy off the bench all Free Throw % 31st .740 season, most prominently in the regular-season finale at Tennessee State. Both players Field Goal % Defense 33rd .365 scored nine points in the comeback win. Assist-to-TO Ratio 34th 0.93 With five Panthers connecting on at least 15 3-pointers, EIU made 180 as a team to Scoring Margin 38th +9.2 establish a new program record. Eastern’s 2,231 points were the most in Division I era. The Rebounding Margin 48th +4.5 Panthers also broke the single-season blocked shots record for the second year in a row. OVC-Leading Categories Eastern emerged as the best all-around defensive team in the league, ranking tops in Statistic Avg/Pct scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal percentage defense and Scoring Defense 58.4 fewest rebounds allowed per game. And with Galligan and Edwards being the individual Scoring Margin +9.2 league-leaders in field goal and 3-point percentage, respectively, the Panthers also topped Field Goal % .446 the conference in both shooting categories. Field Goal % Defense .365 Eastern had to bid adieu to its accomplished five-player senior class that spearheaded 3-Point % .361 the program renaissance as upperclassmen, but returns eight letter-winners for the 2009- 3-Point % Defense .269 Assists 16.4 10 campaign. In addition, head coach Brady Sallee signed a five-player recruiting class Assist-to-Turnover Ratio 0.93 in November 2008 that received national Honorable Mention recognition from BlueStar Fewest Rebounds Allowed per game 33.3 Basketball.

Eastern Illinois University aaa www.EIUpanthers.com  Panther Basketball Media Guide aaa 2010 Season Preview Consecutive successful seasons that produced a combined 43 victories have returned the Eastern Illinois program to a level of excel- lence it had not enjoyed in nearly two decades. The last two years have seen the Panthers emerge as team to be reckoned with in the Ohio Valley Conference, appearing in back-to-back conference tournament titles games. While the five-player senior class of 2009 that was the driving force behind the program renaissance has moved on having accom- plished its goal of leaving a legacy, sixth-year head coach Brady Sallee remains as optimistic as ever. “I’ve looked at it as an exciting time in our program,” he says. “We’re finally in a situation where big-time players are leaving here and now the onus is on us as a coaching staff to make sure we have the answers behind them. I think we do have those answers. I think in any good program, you go through this. The good programs have the answers and maintain. In terms of our program during my tenure, this is the biggest year we’ve had.” OVC Preseason Poll At times overshadowed by their Team (1st Place Votes) Poll Points older teammates, this year’s five- 1. Morehead State (9) 147 player senior class has been just as 2. Austin Peay (6) 146 important to the program’s success 3. Tennessee State (4) 134 the last two seasons. As much as 4. Eastern Illinois (1) 111 Ellen Canale, Megan Edwards, Ra- time victory against Eastern Kentucky in 2008. It was Sturtevant that 5. Jacksonville State 84 chel Galligan, Lindsey Kluempers 6. Murray State 79 helped seal the win with three big free throws in overtime. Six weeks and Julie Lipperd did for Panther 7. Southeast Missouri 67 later, she was 5-of-6 at the line, as the Panthers beat Jacksonville State 8. Tennessee Tech 58 basketball during their four years, in Charleston and claimed a share of second place in the final OVC 9. Eastern Kentucky 54 they couldn’t have done it without standings later that weekend. 10. UT Martin 18 the help of the class that came in Sallee has sensed that his current senior class, his second recruit- a year after them. Marie Baker, ing class at EIU, has been eager to embrace the opportunities that this Maggie Kloak, Dominique Sims, Lauren Sturtevant and Ashley season presents for some time. Thomas teamed up with last year’s seniors to give EIU 10 experienced “I think being the leaders of this team is something the majority upperclassmen in 2009. The result: a 24-win campaign and a 20-game of the seniors have wanted for so long, that now they’re both excited home win streak that began in January 2008. As Sallee envisions it, the about it and comfortable with it. All five of them are poised and ready time has come for Baker, Kloak, Sims, Sturtevant and Thomas to get to show everybody that they’re more than able to lead this team to the their well-deserved due. places where our expectations are.” “Personally, I’m really excited for this group. A lot of it is because of Just as was the case with their older teammates last year, they the change of the guard we’re going through a little bit. I think we’ve got won’t have to do it alone. Sophomores Madeline Kish, Chantelle a very strong senior class; one that, even though they’ve at times had Pressley and Pilar Walker each got a chance to contribute during the to play certain roles, they’ve all been more than capable of stepping race for the 2009 conference title. up on their own accord and have done so throughout the years. I’m “The first thing I think about is the pressure our sophomores were excited to see them let loose and look at this as their time to shine.” thrown under in big games,” Sallee says. “Not only in championship- Each senior has gotten a taste of the spotlight during her career. type games, but in different venues; playing in games where the ex- Sims has started 58 of the 65 games since transferring to EIU from pectation was for us to win. They don’t know any other situation than Panola College in Texas. She lit up Jacksonville State for a career-high winning. They’ve been the first class you can say that about. 19 points in an ESPNU-televised game last season. While she is the “Last year, we were fortunate that we were able to be able to bring team’s only returning starter, that’s not to say she’s the only current them along not necessarily when we needed them, but when they were senior that has started during her career. ready. I think that benefited them because they were put in situations Kloak has been arguably the top reserve post player in the OVC where they could be successful. They didn’t have to go through the the last two seasons. And when Galligan was injured in the Novem- heartache of the players before them that had to be out on the floor and ber and December of 2007, she got an opportunity to start 11 straight learn through their mistakes. I think that’s something they can benefit games. She scored in double-figures seven times during that stretch, from.” including in each of her first six collegiate starts. In a 2009 season filled Eastern’s five-player freshman class received national honorable with memorable individual performances, Kloak’s 14 points in the final mention recognition from BlueStar Basketball, an organization that eval- eight minutes of the first half en route to a 20-point, 11-rebound double- uates and assesses recruiting classes. Together with the current soph- double against Morehead State certainly ranked among the Top Five. omores, Mariah King, Bianca McGee, Sydney Mitchell, Ta’Kenya Thomas was a starter in 2007, twice winning OVC Freshman of Nixon and Kelsey Wyss represent the future of the program. Sallee the Week honors. The last two seasons she traded a chance at match- thinks it’s the most-talented class he has brought to Charleston. ing her first-year statistics for team success. Yet, even in a sixth-man “Because of the amount of kids in this year’s freshman class, and role she enjoyed her memorable moments. Sidelined by a back injury the talent, it’s really exciting for me. From top-to-bottom, it’s as good for much of February 2009, her return gave EIU an offensive spark as we’ve ever had. The talent is definitely as good as we’ve ever had. – scoring 12 key points – in the OVC Tournament semifinal victory They’ll need to establish the work ethic and intangibles that made the against Tennessee State played on the big stage of the Sommet Cen- last couple years so special. But in terms of their basketball skill, I think ter in Downtown Nashville. Her perfect shooting night in a 2008 victory everyone we’ll see what I’m so excited about.” against Austin Peay still ranks as one of the most impressive perfor- Eastern has enjoyed success and played for the right to represent mances in Lantz Arena’s recent history. the OVC in the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons. Even with Baker has been productive when she has gotten her opportunities. one of the program’s most personable and accomplished senior class- Her nine points in the final two minutes of the first half helped EIU grind es having moved on, it’s far from a rebuilding year for Sallee and his out a home win against Tennessee State in 2007. It was an important coaching staff. The expectations in the Panthers’ locker room remain victory at the time, as the Panthers were still discovering how good they the same. could be. “I think we’ve got a great mix of youth and experience,” Sallee Sturtevant has been versatile in the backcourt, seeing action at says. “If we can get it to come together in the right way, we’re capable the point and wing. The 20-game home win streak began with an over- of doing everything that people have come to expect of our program.”

10 EIU Women’s Basketball aaa Success is Our Choice