(GREENBAYPHOENIX.COM) GREEN BAY – Green Bay opened Horizon League play at home on Saturday afternoon against Milwaukee, with the Phoenix making a late run but ultimately falling short against the Panthers, 61-58.
Freshman Jasmine Kondrakiewicz put the Phoenix on the board first, but the Panthers responded with a 9-0 run to take control of things early.
It was all defense from both teams in the opening frame, as the squads combined for only 19 points with Milwaukee leading, 11-8.
Back-and-forth action ensued deep into the second quarter. It was a one-possession game after layups from Kondrakiewicz and Brooklyn Blackburn at 19-17, but the Panthers pushed their advantage back to six as the half closed.
After facing a deficit as large as 12 points in the third quarter, a bucket from Kondrakiewicz, which brought her into double digits for the third time in her young career, and a triple from Cassie Schiltz narrowed the MKE lead to seven points, 49-42, heading to the final frame.
The Phoenix continued to battle back down the stretch, with Ellie Foster bringing GB within one point at 54-53 after sinking a pair of free throws. Foster would again make it a one-point game with limited time remaining, 59-58.
GB was forced to send Milwaukee to the line and the Panthers hit both free throws. Green Bay’s attempt to tie from long range missed its mark.
Kondrakiewicz led the Phoenix will 13 points and six rebounds as Schiltz joined her in double figures with 12 points.
The Panthers’ Megan Walstad led all scorers with 16 points on the afternoon.
