by By: Joey Daniels (@GBPhoenixWBB)
DAYTON, Ohio (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – A balanced attack that featured five players in double figures helped push the Green Bay women’s basketball team to a 68-59 victory over Wright State in its Horizon League opener on Wednesday night at the Nutter Center.
The Phoenix (11-3, 1-0 HL) wanted nothing more to erase the memories of last year’s defeat on its home floor to the Raiders (11-4, 0-1 HL), and did just that with a huge road victory to open conference play. Green Bay is now a perfect 27-0 in conference openers during the Division I era and has won 26 of the last 27 meetings with Wright State.
Senior point guard Megan Lukan took a vicious shot to her upper body in the first half, but that didn’t stop her from outputting her best performance of the season. Lukan finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, a near triple double and another resilient effort that Phoenix fans have grown accustomed to seeing.
“We are happy we got the win, especially after losing to them (Wright State) last year,” Lukan said. “We had some good stops down the stretch which led to some transition baskets or allowed us to get to the free throw line.”
Lukan was joined in the land of double figures by fellow-starters Mehryn Kraker and Tesha Buck (Mdewakanton Sioux), who each finished with 11 points. Buck converted three three-pointers, while Kraker tallied her second double-double of the season after finishing with 12 rebounds.
Green Bay was gifted a huge lift off the bench by Allie LeClaire and Sam Terry, who combined to score 22 points. Kaili Lukan chipped in with eight points of her own.
The Phoenix held its eighth team this season to under 60 points, while tying its season high in offensive rebounds with 18. Wright State was averaging 77.8 points per game coming in.
The Raiders got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 14-7 lead before Green Bay enjoyed an 8-0 run. The Phoenix would go on to take a seven point lead into the half and would continue to lead for the remainder of the game.
Green Bay finished 18-for-23 from the free throw line, limited the potential for a Wright State comeback.
Wright State was led by Tay’ler Mingo, who finished with a game-high 24 points. Breanna Stucke added 19 points as well.
The Horizon League home-opener for the Phoenix will take place this Saturday (Jan. 10) at 1 p.m. back at the Kress Center. Green Bay will take on a surging Youngstown State squad.
