GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay women's basketball team extended its winning streak to 11 with a 66-52 victory over Cleveland State on Thursday night in front of nearly 2,200 fans at the Kress Center.
Natalie McNeal continued her dominance against the Vikings, scoring a season-high 24 points for the Phoenix (18-5, 11-1 HL). McNeal, in seven career contests against CSU, averages 20.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 65 percent from the field.
Callie Genke added 11, Bailey Butler tallied nine, and Jasmine Kondrakiewicz scored eight points. Maddy Schreiber returned to action for the first time since December 14 (vs. Creighton) to score three points off the bench.
Mickayla Perdue paced Cleveland State (17-5, 8-3 HL) with 17 points, while Mya Moore had 14 points and Sara Guerreiro notched a dozen.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a somewhat tough start for both teams, with Green Bay shooting just 5-of-14 in the opening quarter. Cleveland State wasn't much better, scoring just six points (two each from Perdue, Guerreiro, and Moore) while turning the ball over seven times. McNeal was a bright spot for the Phoenix, knocking down all three of her shot attempts – her third make being her 500th career field goal - to give GB an 11-6 lead going into the second quarter. Green Bay played well on both ends of the floor in the next frame, shooting six-for-13 in the second quarter while finishing the half with eight steals defensively. Miah Meyer was active off the bench midway through the quarter, getting a steal and score to put the Phoenix ahead by two touchdowns at 20-6 with 5:02 to go before halftime. It was a clean half defensively for GB, committing just two fouls and led 27-17 at intermission.
The Phoenix cooled off in the third stanza, but McNeal scored five points to help maintain the lead. Cleveland State outscored GB 7-3 in the final 1:24 of the period, making it a four-point game going into the final 10 minutes. Green Bay was scorching hot in the last quarter, shooting 10-of-13 as a team while piling up 26 points. McNeal had an emphatic and-one that sent the crowd into a frenzy with 5:48 remaining in regulation. GB led by at least 11 points in the final 5:48, taking care of Cleveland State 66-52.
GAME NOTES
» The Phoenix never trailed.
» Green Bay had a 30-25 edge on the glass.
» GB's defense forced 21 turnovers, turning it into 17 points.
» The Phoenix outdueled CSU in the paint, 34-28.
» Kondrakiewicz and McNeal tied for a team-high seven rebounds.
COMING UP
Green Bay will head south to face the IU Indy Jaguars this Sunday. Tipoff is slated for 1 PM central time.
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