While most of Wisconsin spent the Thanksgiving weekend dealing with below freezing temperatures, the Green Bay Phoenix women’s basketball team was on the beach, playing in the Puerto Rico shootout. After taking another Power 5 school to the limit, and winning its next two games down south, Coach Karius and her squad are back in Titletown for Horizon League play. Green Bay opens the conference schedule hosting IU-Indy in the friendly confines of the Kress Center.
Green Bay’s demanding nonconference schedule has been a staple of this program for years, with this season being no different. Green Bay kicked off the Discover Puerto Rico shootout against Virginia, who came in at 5-1, on Thanksgiving morning. Green Bay was able to go into halftime with a 29-26 lead over their ACC opponent, but ultimately come up short, as the Cavaliers got a 66-61 win over the Phoenix. Reigning Horizon League Sixth player of the Year, Callie Genke, led all scorers with 18. Natalie McNeal scored her 1,000th career points, as part of a 12 point scoring effort, and was joined by Cassie Schiltz and Jasmine Kondrakiewicz in double figures.
Day 2 saw Green Bay take on a fellow Mid Major Top 25 team, the No. 12 Drake Bulldogs. This game was as advertised, a back and forth between two staples of mid major hoops. Using a strong 4th quarter, the Phoenix were able to get out on top, taking down Drake by a score of 64-59. McNeal and Schiltz led the team again, with McNeal scoring 15, and Schiltz dropping in 12 for the second straight game.
Day 3 didn’t get any easier, as Green Bay once again squared off with another Mid Major Top 25 team, the No. 9-ranked team in the poll, Norfolk State. The Spartans have made 2 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and took Green Bay to the wire. After the Phoenix outscored Norfolk State 22-5 in the 2nd quarter, the Spartans returned the favor with a 16-3 3rd quarter. Norfolk clawed back into the game, and grabbed a late lead, as part of a 9-0 run, before Maddy Schreiber was able to hit a shot with 0:08 left in regulation to give Green Bay the lead and ultimately the win. Schreiber led all scorers in the game with 23.
The Phoenix kickoff league play Wednesday night at the Kress Center, hosting the IU Indianapolis Jaguars. Green Bay holds a 12-5 series advantage against the Jaguars, including 5 in a row, with IU Indy’s last win head to head coming in January 2022.
Tipoff is set for 6pm CT at the Kress Center. Follow along with Eric as the game goes along and postgame coverage to follow.