By Justin Grones
GreenBayPhoenix.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - For the sixth time in eight games this season, the Green Bay women's basketball team (5-2) will play away from home as the team visits Marquette (4-3) on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. The game will be the first televised game of the season for Green Bay with Time Warner Cable's Sports32 covering the action from the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee.

The Phoenix is coming off a tough 54-50 setback to Central Michigan on Wednesday in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Green Bay held a 26-18 halftime lead, but the Chippewas went from 0-for-11 shooting from long range in the first half to 6-of-10 shooting in the second half to overcome the deficit. Senior Adrian Ritchie (De Pere, Wis.) led the Phoenix with 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a block-all team highs. Ritchie, the Horizon League's steals leader, also grabbed three in the contest.

Marquette returns home following a 71-68 loss at Wisconsin on Wednesday. Midway through a high-scoring first half, the Golden Eagles went on an 18-2 run while shooting 58.1 percent from the field in the half. Trailing by three in the final seconds, sophomore Arlesia Morse launched a shot from long range but couldn't get it to fall, sealing the win for the Badgers.

Green Bay holds a 30-8 all-time record against Marquette dating back to 1980, and also won the 2011 matchup at home 66-50 in a contest that featured 44 combined fouls. The Phoenix held Marquette to 0-13 shooting from long range in that game, and was led by Ritchie with 15 points.

The Phoenix will have next week off before returning home to play just its third home game of the 2012-13 season, and will play consecutive home games for the first time this year. Green Bay will welcome North Dakota State on Tuesday, Dec. 18, and try to improve to 5-0 all-time against the Bison. The Phoenix will then host Wisconsin on Sunday, Dec. 23 looking to win its fourth straight against the Badgers. Fans in attendance at Green Bay's game against Wisconsin will be given a Phoenix holiday ornament sponsored by Prevea Health.

YO, ADRIAN!: Senior Adrian Ritchie continues to have a dominant senior campaign after dropping 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds at Central Michigan. Ritchie averages 17.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, and posts a Horizon League-best 3.7 steals per game. A recent 1,000-point club member, Ritchie is on pace to break into the top-10 of the all-time scoring list in Green Bay women's basketball history.

CAN'T BE PRESSED: Sophomore Megan Lukan (Barrie, Ontario, Canada) had a solid game against Central Michigan while facing a stiff full-court defense for nearly the entire game. Lukan had just one turnover in the contest and continued to show her toughness on the court grabbing three steals, gaining praise from head coach Kevin Borseth. "That Central Michigan full-court defense was tough but it didn't bother us. Megan did a great job handling it and I was pleased we only had nine turnovers as a team in that game," Borseth said.

SCORING DEFENSE: Green Bay leads the Horizon League allowing just 53.9 points per game. The Phoenix has allowed only one opponent to score more than 54 points this season, and boasts a +12.3 scoring margin-good for the top spot in the Horizon League.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: For the first time this season, Green Bay will play consecutive home games after having next week off. The Phoenix will return to the Kress Center to host North Dakota State on Tuesday, Dec. 18, and then host nonconference rival Wisconsin on Sunday, Dec. 23. Green Bay has won four straight against North Dakota State, and three consecutive matchups against the Badgers.

FOLLOW IT LIVE: The Phoenix will play its first televised game of the season as Time Warner Cable's Sports32 will broadcast the action from the Al McGuire Center. Fans can also listen to Bruce VandenPlas on the call on WDUZ The Fan 107.5 FM and 1400 AM. Live stats and Live video will also be available for the game against the Golden Eagles.

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