Deep ball helps Green Bay escape past Northern Kentucky

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Green Bay women's basketball team escaped with a 64-56 victory over Northern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon.

 

The Phoenix (17-5, 10-1 HL) extended its winning streak to 10 in a row, matching the longest winning streak since last season (10 games, 12/13/23-1/18/24). Cassie Schiltz led Green Bay with 14 points, while Bailey Butler and Callie Genke each tallied 12. Jasmine Kondrakiewicz, coming off a career-high 31 points at Wright State, flirted with a double-double, recording 10 points and nine rebounds.

 

Macey Blevins paced NKU (7-15, 4-7 HL) with 16 points, which led all players. Halle Idowu added another dozen, and Abby Wolterman tallied 11 points.

 

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a sluggish start to the contest. Green Bay shot just 4-of-17, and NKU was a dismal 3-of-14, but Genke drilled three triples to help Green Bay go into the second frame tied 11-11. The Phoenix slightly improved on the offensive end in the second quarter, knocking down seven of 18 shot attempts. The Green and White kept finding a connection from distance, with Schiltz, Butler, and Genke all splashing threes, extending Green Bay's lead to 25-18 with 2:21 to go before halftime. Jenna Guyer and Miah Meyer scored late in the stanza, and Green Bay went into the break leading 29-20. Northern Kentucky was stifled by the Phoenix, converting on just four field goals in the quarter.

 

Both squads awoke from their first-half slumber, with NKU tallying 22 points in the third period, more than the first and second quarters combined. Green Bay answered the bell, however, getting several threes from Schiltz and Butler.

 

No. 22 made just seven triples all season going into Saturday's contest but made three against NKU. It remained a close contest going into the fourth quarter, with Green Bay leading 47-42 after a late Kondrakiewicz layup. The Phoenix started the final stanza on a quick note, getting another trey from Schiltz before Natalie McNeal  finished a layup. Green Bay struggled to score the next five and a half minutes, as NKU pulled to within five after a tip-in by Idowu with 5:13 to go. Kondrakiewicz nailed a pair of free throws to separate the Phoenix, and Green Bay finished the game strong from the charity stripe, keeping its distance for a 64-56 win.

 

GAME NOTES
» Green Bay never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Green Bay's defense forced 15 turnovers, turning it into 12 points.
» The Phoenix was out-rebounded 53-38. Green Bay recorded 12 of its rebounds on the offensive end.
» Kondrakiewicz's nine rebounds were a team-high.

 

COMING UP
The Phoenix have a date with Cleveland State next Thursday at the Kress Center, marking the first meeting between Green Bay and CSU since the Horizon League Championship Game last March.