The next time the Phoenix are playing outside the friendly confines of the Kress Center would ideally be the Horizon League Tournament semifinals in early March. Green Bay played in its final road game of the regular season on Wednesday night, traveling to play the red hot Cleveland State Vikings, who just ended Purdue Fort Wayne’s 17-game winning streak over the weekend. Fortunately for the Phoenix, their winning streak was not to be broken by the Vikings on this go around, as Green Bay emerged victorious, winning 59-50, and extending its win streak to 17 games.
The Vikings took the early advantage, after both teams missed shots on their opening possessions, with Jordana Reisma scoring the first points of the game. Jasmine Kondrakiewicz tied the game on Green Bay’s ensuing possession, only for Mickayla Perdue to put the Vikings back out front with a made jump shot. Cleveland State opened the lead up to a two possession lead on a made bucket from Sara Guerreiro. Green Bay spent the remainder of the quarter trying to play catch up, but never getting further behind than 4 points, getting big shots from Natalie McNeal and Maddy Schreiber down the stretch of the opening period. After 10 minutes of game action, Green Bay trailed 13-9.
Schreiber remained the hot hand out of the quarter break for the Phoenix, knocking down threes on back to back possessions. Each time though, Cleveland State had an answer, getting a made triple each from Guerreiro and Destiny Leo. Leo’s trey would be the last Cleveland State points for over 7 minutes of game action though, as the Phoenix clamped down defensively and exploded on the offensive end. Bailey Butler knocked down a triple, followed by another Schreiber deep ball.
McNeal continued her offensive dominance against the Vikings with a three-point play, followed by deep balls from Butler and Callie Genke. All in all, it was a 15-0 run for the Phoenix, allowing Green Bay to build a 30-19 lead. With 1:17 left in the half, Perdue got the Vikings back on the board with a made jumper, followed by a defensive stop and a Leo three-pointer to chip into the lead before the half. Green Bay was unable to add on before the half, taking a 30-24 advantage into the locker room.
Cleveland State came out of the break with momentum, riding the 5-0 run before the half, and continued it with a Guerreiro jumper to clip the Phoenix lead to 30-26. Genke briefly break the momentum with a jumper to put Green Bay back up by 6. The Vikings were not to be deterred in the third, sparking an 8-0 run to grab the lead from the Phoenix at 34-32. Cassie Schiltz was able to get a runner to go to tie the game back up, ending the Vikings scoring run. As they did in the first quarter, Cleveland State was able to extend the lead to as much as 4 points in the thirrd, but Green Bay kept the game close, answering each time. After three periods of play, the Vikings held a narrow 40-39 advantage.
In danger of seeing the winning streak come to an end, Green Bay got a three from Butler to open the 4th, putting the Phoenix back in front. The Phoenix drew a turnover from an offensive foul on Guerreiro, leading to another Butler bucket to extend the Green Bay advantage. Another Phoenix stop on the defensive end led to McNeal hitting her signature mid range jumper, prompting a timeout from Cleveland State. Out of the timeout, Butler took a steal coast to coast, continuing the Phoenix run, and building the lead up to 48-40.
Grace Ellis finally got the Vikings back in the scoring column with a pair of made free throws with just 4:53 left in regulation. Genke scored on Green Bay’s next possession to get the 2 points back, but fouled Reisma on the opposite end. Reisma made the bucket, earning an And 1 opportunity which she converted to bring the Phoenix lead back to a 2 possession game at 51-45. Genke made up for the foul, scoring once again to give Green Bay some extra cushion. Schreiber and McNeal kept the lead building, as Cleveland State could only answer with a split trip at the line for Reisma.
In the final minute of play, Ellis hit a layup to cut the lead to 57-48, but Butler iced the game by sinking both of her free throws with 0:43 left in the contest. Reisma was able to tally one last score in the closing seconds of the game, but it proved to be inconsequential, as Green Bay emerged with the win.
Three Phoenix players finished with doubke digit scoring totals, led by Schreiber’s team high 16 points off the bench. Butler finished with 15 and McNeal with 12. Reisma was the only Viking in double figures, as she scored a game high 19.
Green Bay will return home for the last two games of the regular season, plus a quarterfinals game in the conference tournament. First things first, the Phoenix will square off against in state rival Milwaukee on Saturday, February 22nd. Tipoff is slated for 1pm.
