by DETROIT, Mich. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) — Green Bay ended its trip to Michigan with a wire-to-wire victory over Detroit Mercy on Saturday afternoon at Calihan Hall. The Phoenix defeated the Titans 65-48 behind double-digit scoring efforts from Karly Murphy and Hailey Oskey (Oneida), who finished with 16 and 11, respectively.
Caitlyn Hibner was welcomed back to the lineup after missing Thursday’s matchup at Oakland and made her presence known immediately, as the guard scored the first two baskets of the matchup to put GB in front 4-0.
Green Bay soared out to a 19-2 lead in just over eight minutes behind a quick seven points from Murphy. Oskey matched Murphy’s total on a buzzer-beating layup at the end of the first which put the Phoenix on top 23-6.
Detroit Mercy managed to match Green Bay basket for basket in the second quarter, with both teams netting 10 points apiece as the Phoenix led 33-16 at the half. GB’s lead was due largely to a 20-4 advantage in the paint and a four-point contributions from UDM’s starting lineup..
GB’s advantage grew to 20 points at the end of the third quarter after a jumper from Murphy fell through the net. The Phoenix continued its domination inside in the frame, adding another 14 points and allow its opposition only four.
Green Bay closed the door on any comeback in the fourth quarter and secured a 65-48 victory.
The Phoenix finished with a final advantages of 42-10 in the paint, 10-0 on second-chance points and forced 18 turnovers while surrendering only nine. Green Bay also won the battle on the boards by a substantial margin at 49-35.
Murphy finished with a game-high 16 points and secured eight rebounds. Hibner finished one basket shy of a double-double, adding eight points to GB’s total while collecting 10 rebounds.
Green Bay overcame a 2-for-19 effort from long range in its convincing victory and finished 24-for-67 (35.8%) from the field. The Titans attempted 32 three-pointers and connected on 11, but finished just 16-of-15 from the field.
