by ROCHESTER, Mich. — Watching Oakland’s potential buzzer-beating and game-winning 3-pointer rim in and out, the Green Bay women’s basketball team survived in overtime to win 78-76 at the Athletics Center O’rena to open the New Year on Friday afternoon.
GB (1-2 HL, 2-4) held its collective breathe as the final shot of the game by Jalisha Terry rolled around the rim and came out as the horn went off, an open look at a 3 for Terry. The Golden Grizzlies (3-2 HL, 4-4) forced overtime after splitting a pair of free throws with 7 seconds left in regulation, and fought back in OT after watching GB score the first 6 points of the extra period.
Five players finished in double figures for the Phoenix, led by Sydney Levy’s 16 points in her first game as a member of the Phoenix. Caitlyn Hibner notched her second double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and snagging 11 rebounds. Jasmine Kondrakiewicz (13 pts), Hailey Oskey (14 pts) and Lyndsey Robson (11 pts) all finished in double-figures for GB, which registered its first HL win of the young season after having its last league series against YSU canceled.
Oakland finished just 12-19 from the free throw line, missing four critical free throws late in the game and in overtime. Kayla Luchenbach was fouled with 7 seconds left in the fourth quarter and GB leading by only one. She missed the first before making the second, tying the game, before GB couldn’t get a shot off to send the game to overtime.
GB hit four of its six shots and went 3-4 from the free throw line in OT. Oakland hit 12 3s in four quarters, but missed all three of its attempts in the overtime. The Phoenix dominated in the paint, holding a 38-18 edge, and was lifted by 32 points off the bench.
Oakland opened the second half with back to back 3s, creating a 9-0 run from the first half into the second, and eventually turned that into a 12-2 run after hitting a third 3. Leading at 40-37, GB went on a 9-0 run to push its lead back out to double digits, using a balanced scoring effort to spurt the run.
GB scored the first six points of the game, before Oakland answered with six straight of its own. The Phoenix controlled most of the first half, shooting 50 percent and holding Oakland to just 10-for-36 on their end.
