Inside UW-Green Bay News

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Champions again!

by · March 16, 2009

The trophy says it all.

The UW-Green Bay women’s basketball team cruised through the Horizon League tournament, using a suffocating defense to defeat rival UW-Milwaukee, 65-41, in the Horizon League tournament championship game in Green Bay Sunday, March 15.

Along with the championship, the Phoenix claimed the Horizon League’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament — the program’s 10th trip to the “Big Dance” and its first since 2007 when it advanced to the second round. The #11 seeded Phoenix will play #6 LSU at 6 p.m. Sunday in Baton Rouge. It will be the team’s 12th straight post-season appearance.

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Photos by Matt Becker

With one of the top-rated defenses in the nation (and on pace to post one of the top five defensive efforts in a season in NCAA history), the Phoenix forced six turnovers against UW-Milwaukee in the championship game, turning them into a 12-0 first half run that the Panthers never recovered from. By halftime, the Phoenix enjoyed a 32-16 advantage.

Through the first 20 minutes, the Phoenix shot 50 percent from the floor (12-for-24), forced 20 turnovers, and held the Horizon League’s Co-Player of the Year, senior Traci Edwards, scoreless. UW-Milwaukee never got closer than 16 points in the second half, and finished the contest with 28 turnovers and just 35 field-goal attempts.

It was the 21st straight win for the Phoenix women, who improved to 29-3 overall after an 18-0 league run. The Phoenix knocked off Detroit and Wright State en route to the championship game.

The winner of Sunday’s contest will take on the winner of #3 Louisville/#14 Liberty Tuesday, March 24 at 8:30 p.m. The winner of the Baton Rouge first/second round site will play March 28 in Raleigh, N.C. in the Sweet 16.