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Hibner leads Green Bay over Missouri

By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent


GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Phoenix women’s basketball team hadn’t hosted Missouri since Nov. 29, 2003, in a victory when the Phoenix Sports Center was still around.

Fast forward 16 years and the result was still the same.

The Phoenix defeated Missouri 72-64 in a non-conference game Nov. 16 at the Kress Events Center.

“At the end of the game, you have to put the foot on the gas,” said Kevin Borseth, Green Bay head coach. “Fortunately, we built a big lead and were able to close them out despite having a couple of turnovers down the stretch.”

Caitlyn Hibner led Green Bay with 20 points, Frankie Wurtz had 15 and Madison Wolf came off the bench to chip in 12 points and 4 rebounds.

Green Bay guard (No. 3) Frankie Wurtz dribbling on the perimeter. Photo by Murray Gleffe

“Caitlyn works hard,” said Borseth. “We need her out on the court. Today was her day, and she reaped the rewards.”

Hannah Schuchts led three Tigers in double-figures with 13 points.

The Phoenix shot 50 percent from the field and held the Tigers to 35 percent.

Green Bay got off to a flying start behind the stellar inside play of Hibner, who scored three early baskets,  including a beautiful up-and-under move to give the Phoenix an 11-6 lead.

Green Bay extended the lead to 16-9 after the first quarter.

It also helped the Tigers’ shooting was held in check thanks to the stifling Phoenix defense.

Midway through the second quarter, Green Bay opened up a double-digit lead after Wurtz got rejected, grabbed the rebound and went back up strong to garner a conventional three-point play.

The bucket and ensuing free throw gave the home team a 26-12 lead with 6:06 left until halftime.

The Tigers cut into the margin with full-court pressure defense after Jordan Roundtree made two free throws to cut the lead to 31-20 at intermission.

Green Bay came out in the third quarter and increased their lead to 18 after Wolf hit a free-throw jumper for a 44-26 lead – one in which they maintained to the fourth quarter.

“Madison had a great game today,” added Borseth. “She gave us a big lift with her inside play and physicality around the rim.”

Up 61-43 with six minutes left in the contest, the Phoenix uncharacteristically turned the ball over five times in a 3-minute span, as Missouri picked up the pressure.

Wurtz fouled out with 3:03 remaining, giving the Phoenix one less ball handler on the court.

Despite hitting 58 percent of its free throws, Green Bay had enough down the stretch to pull out an eight-point victory against the SEC opponent.

“We had the ability to score all over the court today,” Borseth added. “We take it one game at a time and every matchup is different. Obviously, the next one is big. It’s an in-state game.”

The Phoenix will entertain the Marquette Golden Eagles Tuesday, Nov. 19, in a 7 p.m. tip.

Box score

Missouri: 9, 11, 14, 30—64

Green Bay: 16, 15, 21, 20—72

Tigers: Schuchts 13, Smith 12, Frank 12, Roundtree 9, Blackwell 8, Troup 6, Green 4

Phoenix: Hibner 20, Wurtz 15, Wolf 12, Robson 11, Pingel 8, Dier 4, Murphy 2

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