by GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) — A dominant fourth quarter wasn’t enough for the third-seeded Green Bay women’s basketball team on Tuesday night, as the Phoenix fell to No. 6 Cleveland State at home, 69-63, in the quarterfinal round of the Horizon League Tournament.
The Vikings closed the second quarter with a 10-3 run, aided by a four-point play from Barbara Zieniewaska, to carry an 11-point lead to the locker room. At the 6:34 mark in the third frame CSU began another run, this time scoring 10-consecutive points before a 3-pointer from Cassie Schiltz was able to end the GB drought.
Cleveland State’s lead grew to as much as 22 points before the third quarter was over.
With its back against the wall, Green Bay wasted no time beginning its comeback. Sydney Levy buried a 3-pointer on GB’s first possession, which was followed by a jumper from Meghan Pingel.
Green Bay pieced together a 20-5 run to began the quarter, pulling within six points at 57-51 after another triple from Levy. Schiltz rounded out GB’s scoring on the evening with her third and fourth connections from long range, but the Vikings’ Mariah White hit a pair of free throws to seal a 69-63 victory for Cleveland State.
Senior Caitlyn Hibner led the Phoenix with 15 points on a 6-of-12 clip from the floor and snagged eight rebounds. Schiltz joined her in double figures with 12 points, all of which came from beyond the arc. Hailey Oskey (Oneida) finished with 11 points while going 4-for-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from long range. CSU’s White led all scorers with 22 points.
Green Bay will await to learn its postseason fate on Selection Monday, March 15, with the Phoenix boasting a strong resume for the WNIT.
