(GREEN BAY ATHLETICS) YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A strong first quarter helped the Green Bay women’s basketball team escape past Youngstown State Thursday evening, 58-50.
The Phoenix (12-5, 5-1 HL) extended its winning streak to a season-best five games, thanks to 17 points from Natalie McNeal and 11 from Callie Genke. Cassie Schiltz had eight more while Bailey Butler, Jenna Guyer, and Miah Meyer tallied six apiece.
YSU had good efforts from Sophia Gregory (13 points) and Erica King (12 points) but fell to 7-9 overall and 2-4 in the Horizon League.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first quarter proved a keystone for Green Bay in the victory. GB sprinted to a 5-0 lead, getting a triple from Genke, which forced an immediate timeout by the Penguins. The Phoenix eventually extended the lead to 10 on a bucket from McNeal, but Faith Burch answered for the Penguins. Butler responded right back for GB, converting a shot in the lane. Green Bay shot 69 percent (9-of-13) in the first frame, carrying a 10-point advantage into the second quarter. Both teams struggled to begin the second frame. Neither squad scored until 5:47 before halftime on a three-pointer by YSU’s Jewel Watkins. Guyer had a hook shot on the ensuing possession to help the Green and White get back on track. McNeal stepped up big in the final minutes leading into halftime, scoring GB’s last four points to put Green Bay up 30-22 at intermission.
The first quarter proved a keystone for Green Bay in the victory. GB sprinted to a 5-0 lead, getting a triple from Genke, which forced an immediate timeout by the Penguins. The Phoenix eventually extended the lead to 10 on a bucket from McNeal, but Faith Burch answered for the Penguins. Butler responded right back for GB, converting a shot in the lane. Green Bay shot 69 percent (9-of-13) in the first frame, carrying a 10-point advantage into the second quarter. Both teams struggled to begin the second frame. Neither squad scored until 5:47 before halftime on a three-pointer by YSU’s Jewel Watkins. Guyer had a hook shot on the ensuing possession to help the Green and White get back on track. McNeal stepped up big in the final minutes leading into halftime, scoring GB’s last four points to put Green Bay up 30-22 at intermission.
Out of the locker room, Schiltz and Genke helped Green Bay get through the third period. Schiltz, named Horizon League Player of the Week on Monday, drilled a pair of threes, while Genke scored GB’s final four points of the quarter. The duo’s efforts maintained a 10-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Green Bay went cold in the final stanza, shooting just 2-of-12. However, GB had 12 chances at the charity stripe and knocked down eight free throws, which played a huge part in the eight-point win over Youngstown State, 58-50.
GAME NOTES
» All 12 free throws by GB in the game came in the fourth quarter.
» The Phoenix never trailed.
» Green Bay had a 29-23 edge on the boards.
» GB’s defense forced 21 turnovers, including nine in the first quarter.
» Cassie Schiltz moved into a tie with Lydia Bauer (2009-13) for eighth in program history in three-pointers made.
» All 12 free throws by GB in the game came in the fourth quarter.
» The Phoenix never trailed.
» Green Bay had a 29-23 edge on the boards.
» GB’s defense forced 21 turnovers, including nine in the first quarter.
» Cassie Schiltz moved into a tie with Lydia Bauer (2009-13) for eighth in program history in three-pointers made.
COMING UP
The Phoenix has just a couple of days to prep for Robert Morris. GB will tip off against the Colonials on Saturday at 1 PM.
The Phoenix has just a couple of days to prep for Robert Morris. GB will tip off against the Colonials on Saturday at 1 PM.
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