By: Stephen Wagner
DES MOINES, Iowa (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay women's basketball team took the floor against Drake at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa this afternoon, participating in its first official road contest of the season. Sophomore Allie LeClaire provided the Phoenix (4-2) with a career-high 30 points in the contest, knocking down eight three-pointers in the process, to help rout the Bulldogs (6-2) 86-61.
LeClaire shot 9-for-13 from the field and 8-for-10 from long range in the game. Her eight three-pointers made ranks second on Green Bay's all-time list for a single game, only behind Tricia Ebel's mark of nine set in the 1999-00 season against UIC, while her 80% (8-for-10) ranks eighth on the all-time three-point percentage list for a single game. The last time a Phoenix player scored 30 points was in the 2013-14 season.
LeClaire notched career highs in points (30), rebounds (8), field goals made (9), three-pointers made (8), three-pointers attempted (10), steals (5) and tied her career high in free throws made (4).
Green Bay seemed to be continually pulling away from Drake, with its most substantial run coming in the third quarter of play when the Phoenix opened the 10-minute period with a 15-2 run in the first 4:57 of play. Drake attempted to stop the run, but the stifling Green Bay defense was too much for the Bulldogs' offense to handle.
Green Bay forced 22 turnovers, 15 of which were steals for the Phoenix. The rebounding advantage also tilted in favor of Green Bay 35-26.
Drake attempted to keep pace with the Phoenix by firing three-pointers, but it was to no avail, as the Green Bay defense held Drake to just 3-of-26 (11.5%) from long range.
Green Bay received offensive contributions from eight different players in its matchup with Drake, three of which reached double figures. Mehryn Kraker was one of Green Bay's double-digit providers this evening, as the junior scored a season-high 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Sophomore Jessica Lindstrom matched her career effort put forth against Tulane last week, scoring 13 points and pulling down a team-high eight rebounds in today's victory.
Senior Kaili Lukan added eight points to the Phoenix tally, but her most noticeable impact was on the defensive side of the ball, as she recorded a career-high seven steals.
Green Bay enjoyed a 32-of-61 (52.5%) performance from the floor as a team, paired with a 12-for-26 (46.2%) effort from beyond the arc.
Green Bay will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 9 when the team travels to Indianapolis, Ind., to tipoff against former Horizon League foe Butler. Following the bout with the Bulldogs, the Phoenix will return to its home state for a matchup with in-state rival Wisconsin.
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