MILWAUKEE, Wis – Thanks to an impressive regular season which included a regular season Horizon League title, the Milwaukee women's basketball team earned the right to play in the WNIT tournament. The Panthers will face Drake University on Friday, March 19.
 
Milwaukee accepted an at-large bid to the WNIT and will return to the postseason tournament for the first time since 2017-18. It marks the third time in program history that the Panthers reached the WNIT tournament.
 
The Panthers (19-7) will face Drake University (16-11) at 8:00 pm CT from UW Health Spots Factory in Rockford, Ill. The game will be available via streaming through FloHoops.
 
"It's such a special season given what the seniors have put into it," head coach Kyle Rechlicz stated. "We have five senior leaders ready to commit to this and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity."
 
The Panthers recorded an outstanding regular season, finishing 19-7 overall and 15-5 in the Horizon League as they were named regular season co-champions. Milwaukee earned a non-conference win over Marquette and took two from Green Bay and IUPUI, all of which were on the road.
 
"I appreciate the WNIT for allowing us this chance to play in this tournament and I'm excited to see what we can put together," Rechlicz said.
 
Milwaukee is the only member of the Horizon League in the tournament.
 
"The Horizon League is such a strong league and to be the only one participating in the tournament is a really big accomplishment," Rechlicz continued. "I appreciate the WNIT recognizing the fact that they feel like our team is capable of competing."
 
Drake finished the season 16-11 overall and 13-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference, falling to Bradley in MVC Championship. Milwaukee and Drake have met eight times with the last meeting coming on November 10, 2017.
 
The Panthers are guaranteed two games in the WNIT and will play either Saint Louis or DePaul, depending on a win or loss.
 
Tickets will not be available to purchase for the general public. Additional information will be available on MKEPanthers.com when available.