GREEN BAY --- Using a strong third quarter and rallying from a 13-point deficit, the Green Bay women's basketball team stormed back to knock off IUPUI 60-55 on Friday afternoon at the Kress Center. GB (8-3 HL) jumps ahead of the Jaguars (6-3 HL) in the standings, making tomorrow's second leg equally as an important.

Trailing 30-17 before the half, GB scored 7-straight points and the opening points of the third quarter to cut that deficit to 30-26.  After IUPUI finally answered, GB scored six more to cap a 15-2 run. GB took the lead for good on a Caitlyn Hibner 3-pointer with just under 5 minutes left in the third quarter, a lead it would hold the rest of the way.

Hibner led all scorers in the game with 22 points, making 10 of her 18 attempts and knocking in a pair of triples. It's the senior's fifth 20-plus point game this season, carrying the Phoenix to a strong 18-8 advantage in the third quarter.

No spark proved bigger though than that of Julia Hartwig, who came off the bench in the second half to score six critical points and grab four rebounds. Hartwig finished a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and made a presence on the defensive end with a block in eight intense minutes of action.

The highest scoring quarter came in the final 10 minutes, with GB holding the 18-17 advantage and answering every call IUPUI had. The Phoenix shot 48 percent in the game, but even better in the second half, finishing 16-for-29 for 55 percent. The GB defense did not allow a 3 by the Jaguars in both the second and third quarters.

Cassie Schiltz finished with nine points and a pair of steals, while Jasmine Kondrakiewicz and Brooklyn Blackburn each chipped in seven points a piece.

GB led by as many as 15 points with under 4 minutes left in the game, before IUPUI chipped away at the large deficit late in the game.  The Phoenix also used a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter, opening up that large lead.

IUPUI was led offensively by Rachel McLimore with 17 points with Macee Williams adding 13 points and seven rebounds.

The second game of the weekend double-dip will tip at 1 p.m. back at the Kress Center tomorrow.   



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