by GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) — Green Bay opened the Horizon League slate on Saturday afternoon with a convincing win over Northern Kentucky, 65-44. The Phoenix enjoyed four scorers in double figures and moved to 6-7 on the season.
Madison and Mackenzie Wolf took the floor as members of the starting lineup together for the first time in their careers, providing the Phoenix with an immediate lift and scoring a combined 10 of the team’s first 15 points.
Green Bay’s first 15 points of the game went unanswered by the visitors, with the Phoenix forcing the Norse to miss their first eight shots. GB led 25-7 after the opening quarter and by the time halftime arrived, it was up 47-13.
Green Bay shot 60.7% (17-for-28) overall, 62.5% from 3 (5-for-8) and hit all eight free throws in the first 20 minutes while NKU was held to 14.3% (4-for-28) and had seven turnovers.
The Phoenix had a balanced attack throughout. Frankie Wurtz matched Madison Wolf with 12 points, while sophomore guard Hailey Oskey (Oneida) had 11 and junior guard Caitlyn Hibner 10 to round out the double-digit scorers for Green Bay.
NKU was held to its second-fewest points this season after scoring 42 against Saint Louis in early November. The victory for Green Bay increased its streak of conference-opening wins to 31, with its last loss coming in the 1983-84 season.
The Phoenix continues Horizon League play on Monday night with last year’s regular season and tournament champion, Wright State. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at the Kress Center and the game will stream on ESPN+.
