By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay women's basketball team had three players on the All-Horizon League teams in 2014-15. However, it was a starter without postseason accolades this season that posted a career-high 27 points to help ensure the Phoenix would be back in the league tournament's title game for the fifth-straight season.
Junior Kaili Lukan (Barrie, Ontario) led top-seeded Green Bay (27-4) in scoring for the second in as many postseason games, and the Phoenix held off a late charge from fourth-seeded Youngstown State (21-10) on Friday night to win 63-54 in semifinal action of the Horizon League Championships at the Kress Center.
With Green Bay's 10th-straight victory, the stage is set for a title game rematch.
Green Bay and second-seeded Wright State (25-7) are slated to meet on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Wright State, the defending tournament champion, set a tournament single-game scoring record with a 99-87 win over third-seeded Cleveland State (19-12) in Friday's first semifinal.
Green Bay and Wright State have accounted for the past four championships in the Horizon League tournament, with the Phoenix winning from 2011-13 before WSU ended the reign with a victory last season. In 2014-15, Green Bay swept the season series, holding the high-scoring Raiders to just 52 points per game, nearly 30 below their season average.
Coming off a 24-point performance in Wednesday's quarterfinal win over Milwaukee, Lukan scored the game's first eight points on Friday as Green Bay jumped out to an early lead. Lukan finished the opening half with 14 points and sophomore Mehryn Kraker (West Allis, Wis.) added nine as the duo outscored the Penguins alone and Green Bay led 38-22 at the half.
Youngstown State and First-Team All-Horizon League selection Heidi Schlegel got off to a strong start in the second half, scoring eight of the first 12 points. Lukan responded with the final five points of a 7-0 which gave the hosts breathing room in front of a large crowd of supporters.
However, the Penguins again refused to wither, cutting a 51-34 deficit midway through the second half to 55-52 with 3:25 to play. Green Bay's defense clamped down, and the Phoenix scored the next six points to put the game away.
Kraker finished with 11 points and sophomore reserve Sam Terry (Baraboo, Wis.) added 10 points off the bench.
For more information visit the 2015 Horizon League Tournament central page or order tickets.
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