By: Jill Wunrow
GreenBayPhoenix.com

VALPARAISO, Ind. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The No. 12/9 Green Bay (19-0, 9-0 HL) women's basketball team closed the first half of its Horizon League season with a 65-37 win over Valparaiso (5-15, 1-8 HL) Saturday at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Ind.

"We started slow and just were not on edge offensively but I thought our effort defensively in the second half was great even though we didn't put up a lot of points," said head coach Matt Bollant. "Any time we go on the road and can get a solid win is great for our team."

For the second consecutive game, senior Julie Wojta (Francis Creek, Wis.) wrote her name in the Green Bay record books with a game-high 10 rebounds, placing her at No. 10 on the record list with 700 career boards. Wojta added a game-high 19 points to tally her 10th double double of the season.

In Green Bay's win at Butler Thursday, Jan. 26, Wojta moved to No. 10 on the all-time career scoring list. Wojta is one of seven players in Phoenix history to be in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding.

"It's pretty neat to think about the numbers but I really won't stop to think about it until my career at Green Bay is done," Wojta said. "To see my name on the list with those that are on it is humbling and I know I'm in good company and it's a great accomplishment."

Green Bay jumped out to a 6-0 lead before Valpo scored its first bucket at the 15:40 mark. Adrian Ritchie (De Pere, Wis.) answered with the first three of the game before the Crusaders scored the next four points to cut the Phoenix lead to three (9-6), forcing a timeout by the Phoenix.

With 12:09 to play, after a three-point play from Wojta, Green Bay switched to its Buzz defense forcing frustration and turnovers from Valpo and an 18-2 run by the Phoenix. Lydia Bauer (Lake Zurich, Ill.) drained her lone three of the contest from the top of the key with 10:38 to play to boost Green Bay's lead to 19-8. Lukan later found Hannah Quilling (Eau Claire, Wis.) with a lob pass and bucket with 7:38 remaining and the 25-8 advantage.

"Though we jumped out to a 6-0 lead, we just didn't seem ready to play at the start but I think once we switched to our full court that really gave us a lift," Bollant said.

Throughout Green Bay's 18-2 run, the Buzz defense forced four turnovers and held the Crusaders scoreless for four-and-a-half minutes before sinking a free throw with 6:53 to play in the first half. With 4:49 to play, Wojta received a pass inside and in mid air tipped the ball to Quilling on the left wing for a three to boost Green Bay's lead to 32-11 as the Phoenix fans in attendance jumped to their feet with excitement.

Green Bay closed the half outscoring the Crusaders 14-6 in the final 5:50, leading by as many as 24 with 1:36 remaining after a Wojta free throw.

Wojta led all players with 14 points and seven rebounds as Bauer and Ritchie each chipped in seven in the opening half of play. The Phoenix scored 20 of its first half points off Valpo's 15 turnovers and scored 18 in the paint while turning the ball over just five times.

"It's a challenge to show our competitive maturity and to come and be ready to play; we weren't on edge but we got going after we challenged our players," Bollant said.

The Crusaders opened the second half matching Green Bay point for point before Ritchie scored four consecutive points for the Phoenix. After a free throw from Valpo to make it 48-24 with 12:33 to play, Stephanie Sension (Hopkins, Minn.) scored back-to-back buckets for the Phoenix to boost its lead 52-24 with 11:24 to play.

With 8:19 to play, Wojta grabbed her 10th rebound of the contest, moving her into 10th place on the career record list with 700 career boards. With 7:19 to play, Sarah Eichler (Grafton, Wis.) found Wojta for her lone three from the top of the key to boost the Phoenix lead to 30 (59-29).

Green Bay scored 24 points in the second half while shooting 30 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free throw line.

Including Wojta, three players scored in double figures for Green Bay including Bauer and Ritchie who chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively. Sension added eight points and grabbed five rebounds in 13 minutes of play.

UP NEXT: The Phoenix returns to the confines of the Kress Events Center Saturday, Feb. 4 as it hosts Milwaukee (5-13, 1-7 HL) at 7 p.m. to tip off a three-game homestand. Green Bay hosts Detroit Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. and closes with a battle against Wright State Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Kress.

MEDIA FRENZY: With its continued success comes continued coverage from local, regional and national media outlets for the Phoenix. This week Tuesday, Jan. 31 and Thursday, Feb. 2, head coach Matt Bollant will be on WIXX, 101.1 FM at 7:50 a.m. on the Murphy in the Morning radio show. Thursday morning the team will appear live on the FOX 11 Good Day Wisconsin morning show and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel will be in town later in the day to do a feature on the team. Bollant will also be featured on WFRV-TV CBS 5's Sports Extra show which airs Sunday night at 10:30.

With the NY Giants trip to the Super Bowl, it is still unknown when the Green Bay women's basketball feature will appear in the New York Times. Check in with GreenBayPhoenix.com for updates.

###

Single-game tickets for both men's and women's basketball programs are currently on sale with the Green Bay ticket office. For more information or to order tickets, please click here.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix and @gbphoenixwbb.

Like Green Bay Phoenix Women's Basketball and Green Bay Phoenix Athletics on Facebook.

---www.GreenBayPhoenix.com---