By Justin Grones
GreenBayPhoenix.com
GREEN BAY, Wis.
(GreenBayPhoenix.com) - After its
longest break of the season, the Green Bay women's basketball team (6-2) will
return home to kick off a two-game homestand by hosting North Dakota State
(3-7) on Tuesday, Dec. 18. It will mark just the third time this season the
Phoenix has played on its home court.
Green Bay enters the contest coming off a 10-day break
over finals week, having last played at Marquette on Dec. 8. The Phoenix forced
a season-high 26 turnovers on a season-high 16 steals to overcome a 26-23
halftime deficit and defeat
the Golden Eagles 55-46 on their home court. Freshman Kaili Lukan (Barrie, Ontario, Canada) grabbed a game-high six
steals and added six points while playing a career-high 17 minutes. Older
sister Megan Lukan (Barrie, Ontario,
Canada) contributed five steals to Green Bay's impressive defensive display.
North Dakota State pays a visit to the Kress Center to
wrap up a two-game road trip that began with a 63-42 loss at Creighton on Dec.
16. The Bison has lost four straight, and has yet to win on the road this
season (0-4). Green Bay holds a 4-0 all-time record against North Dakota State,
including an 82-59 road win during the 2011-12 season that saw five Phoenix
players score in double figures. Green Bay has not allowed the Bison to score
more than 59 points in three of four all-time meetings, and boasts a +18.5
scoring margin in the series history.
The Phoenix will stay at home to play consecutive home
games for this first time this season as nonconference rival Wisconsin visits
the Kress Center on Sunday, Dec. 23. Green Bay will look to win its fourth
straight against the Badgers in the 29th meeting of a series that dates back to
1975. Fans in attendance will be given a Phoenix holiday ornament sponsored by
Prevea Health.
FOLLOW IT LIVE: Fans
can 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 Bison. Be sure to follow @GBPhoenixWBB
and @JustinGrones on Twitter for updates throughout the game.
STEALING
SISTERS: In Green Bay's 55-46 win against
Marquette on Dec. 8, the Phoenix used 16 steals to force 26 Marquette
turnovers-both season highs. Freshman Kaili Lukan played a career-high 17
minutes and recorded a game-high six steals, with older sister Megan Lukan
right behind her with five. Green Bay leads the Horizon League in steals per
game (10.5), with senior Adrian Ritchie leading all Horizon League players averaging 3.3 steals per game.
BACK IN
ACTION: After 10 days off, the
Phoenix plays its first game since the road win at Marquette on Dec. 8. The
10-day break is the longest break between games the Phoenix will have during
the 2012-13 season. Green Bay will remain at home to take on Wisconsin on Dec.
23.
SCORING DEFENSE: Green Bay leads the Horizon League allowing just 52.9
points per game. The Phoenix has allowed only one opponent to score more than
54 points this season, and boasts a +11.9 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 playing five of the last six games away from the
Kress Center. The Phoenix will stay at home to host rival Wisconsin on Dec. 23
for the 29th meeting in a series that dates back to 1975.
###
For
the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics, please visit
GreenBayPhoenix.com.
Follow
us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix ,
@GBPhoenixWBB and @JustinGrones
Like
Green Bay
Women's Basketball and Green Bay Phoenix Athletics
on Facebook.
---GreenBayPhoenix.com---
