ROCHESTER, Mich. – Green Bay women's basketball fell in heartbreaking fashion to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Saturday afternoon. The Golden Grizzlies made a shot with 1.4 seconds remaining in the game to give GB their first loss since December 5, 2023.
Natalie McNeal was spectacular for the Phoenix (15-4, 8-1 HL), racking up a new career-high 24 points. Maddy Schreiber added 16 more, while Bailey Butler tallied a dozen before fouling out with 5:50 left in the fourth quarter.
Brooke Quarles-Daniels, who drilled the game-winner, paced all scorers with 27 points for Oakland (8-9, 4-5 HL), while Kennedie Montue had 23 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a high-scoring affair out of the gates, with GB taking a 27-20 advantage into the second quarter. Butler was seemingly unstoppable, tallying all 12 of her points in the opening frame. Butler and Cassie Schiltz scored the final four points of the stanza from the charity stripe. McNeal opened the second quarter with a mid-range jumper to give the Phoenix a 29-20 lead, but Oakland made it difficult on GB after that. The Golden Grizzlies kept cutting the deficit and eventually took the lead on a Quarles-Daniels shot. Schreiber put the Phoenix back in front at 38-37, but the advantage held for only a moment before Oakland ended the half on a 10-2 run, with GB trailing by a touchdown at intermission. Oakland outscored the Phoenix 27-13 in the frame.
Green Bay answered Oakland's run with an 8-1 tear to begin the second half, tying the contest at 48 after Maren Westin rang up a triple on a feed from McNeal. The Golden Grizzlies answered the bell again, ripping off a 9-1 run capped by an and-one by Quarles-Daniels. Schiltz had an and-one to finish the third quarter, with the Phoenix down 62-60. GB led 81-75 with 45 seconds left after Schreiber drilled a pair of free throws, but Oakland continued to fight and tied the game at 81 with 25 seconds left when Montue made a layup. GB couldn't hit free throws in the final seconds, and Quarles-Daniels recovered a loose ball with five seconds left to knock down the game-winner with one second left.
GAME NOTES
» The Phoenix shot well from three-point range, knocking down five of 12 attempts.
» Green Bay's defense forced 18 turnovers.
» GB racked up 42 points in the paint.
UP NEXT
The Phoenix will attempt to get back in the win column next Wednesday when they complete the three-game road trip at IUPUI. Watch the game on ESPN+, listen on WDUZ The Fan, or follow with live stats.
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