SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Green Bay women's basketball team fell to Virginia on Thanksgiving afternoon in the first of three games at the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout.
Callie Genke led the Phoenix (3-3) with a season-high 18 points, leading all players. Natalie McNeal and Cassie Schiltz added 12 each, with McNeal surpassing 1,000 career points in the first half.
Kymora Johnson paced the Cavaliers (6-1) with 17 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Phoenix jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after McNeal splashed a three. Virginia was able to stay in the game with a couple of free throws, but GB stymied the Cavs to just 3-for-9 in the first quarter, not allowing Virginia to make a field goal until 3:35 left in the opening frame. A late layup by Johnson sent the game into the second quarter tied at 12. Neither team led by more than four during the stanza, with Green Bay matching that with 2:10 to go before halftime after McNeal made a layup. McNeal and Kondrakiewicz each made a free throw, and the Phoenix went into the locker room with a 29-26 advantage.
A back-and-forth battle ensued after intermission. Callie Genke drilled a trey to give GB a 42-36 lead with 2:15 left in the third period. Virginia answered back with a 7-0 run to end the period, capped by a layup from Paris Clark, and the Cavaliers led 43-42 heading into the final 10 minutes. Green Bay got some momentum back after Schiltz and Genke each made a three, giving GB the lead back at 50-48 with 7:43 left in regulation. Virginia tried to run away, but Green Bay would not let them, getting a long three from Bailey Butler to pull back within one at 57-56 with 3:46 to go. The Cavaliers had seven free throw attempts in the final 4:44, including four in the last 90 seconds, to pull away late as Green Bay had its three-game winning streak come to an end with a 66-61 loss.
GAME NOTES
» Kondrakiewicz notched a double-double (10 pts., 10 rebs.), her first since February 28, 2024 (14 pts., 12 rebs.) at Purdue Fort Wayne.
» She also surpassed 500 career rebounds.
» Green Bay's defense forced 17 turnovers while committing 13.
» Virginia had a huge edge at the charity stripe, totaling 22 free throws attempts (14 made) to just seven free-throw attempts for GB.
COMING UP
Green Bay will look ahead to tomorrow's matchup against Drake, which is slated for a 10 a.m. central time tipoff. The game will be streamed on FloSportsand live stats will be available.
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