VIDEO: Sension, Ranger Forming Dominant Post Duo

By Justin Grones (@JustinGrones)
GreenBayPhoenix.com

CHICAGO, Ill. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - After a historic 99-53 win against UIC on Feb. 2, the RV/RV Green Bay women's basketball team (17-2, 7-0 HL) will travel to Chicago to face the Horizon League's other Chicago team Loyola (7-12, 2-4 HL) on Thursday night. Tipoff from the Gentile Arena will be at 7 p.m. with the game carried live on the Horizon League Network.

In Saturday's 99-53 win over UIC, the Phoenix tied the program's sixth-best mark for points in a game, and also broke the program record for assists in a game with 34 on 36 field goals. The previous mark of 33 had stood for nearly 27 years. Stephanie Sension (Hopkins, Minn.) and Jenny Gilbertson (Wabasha, Minn.) had their second and first career double-doubles, while Lydia Bauer (Lake Zurich, Ill.) had a game-high 23 points. Redshirt freshman Ellen Edison (Maple Grove, Minn.) also added a career-high five points, including her first collegiate three.

SCOUTING LOYOLA: The Ramblers snapped a three-game losing streak with an 84-74 win at Milwaukee on Jan. 31, and haven't played since. Before the victory over the Panthers, Loyola had lost to Wright State at home, and Youngstown State and Detroit on the road. The Ramblers feature an extremely balanced offensive attack with four players averaging 10.2 or more points per game.

WINNING STREAK NOTES: Green Bay has won 12 straight games dating back to a 55-46 comeback win at Marquette on Dec. 8. Since the streak began, the Phoenix has held opponents to an average of just 43.8 points per game with 10 of 12 opponents failing to score more than 49 points. Green Bay also boasts a +22.4 scoring margin during the streak, and has shot 47.4 percent from the field.

IN THE POLLS: The Phoenix is the top team receiving votes in both the AP Top 25 poll and the USA Today Coach's poll released earlier this week. Green Bay is No. 18 in the NCAA RPI poll, and is also ranked No. 2 with two first-place votes in the College Insider women's basketball Mid-Major poll.

CAREER HIGHS: In the win against UIC, multiple Green Bay players put up impressive career-high numbers. Jenny Gilbertson had career highs in both points (14) and rebounds (13) for her first career double-double, while Breannah Ranger (Skokie, Ill.) added a career-high 16 points. Adrian Ritchie (De Pere, Wis.) and Sarah Eichler (Grafton, Wis.) tied and set a career high with eight assists each.

INSIDE THE SERIES: Green Bay holds a 40-5 all-time record against Loyola and has won six straight in the series. After dropping the first four meetings between the two programs, Green Bay had won 35 straight against the Ramblers before the streak was snapped in a road loss during the 2009-10 season. The Phoenix is a perfect 21-0 against Loyola under Kevin Borseth.

ALMOST IN THE CLUB: Senior Sarah Eichler enters Thursday's contest needing 27 points to become the 31st member of the Green Bay women's basketball 1,000-point club. Eichler would be the second Phoenix player to accomplish this feat during the 2012-13 season, as fellow senior Adrian Ritchie became the 30th member after drilling an open three against Indianapolis on Nov. 30.

FOLLOW IT LIVE:  Fans can listen live on Thursday as Bruce VandenPlas will have the call on The Fan 1400 AM. Live stats and live video on the Horizon League Network will also be available for the game at Loyola. Be sure to follow @GBPhoenixWBB and @JustinGrones on Twitter for updates throughout the game.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: Green Bay will host in-state rival Milwaukee on Saturday at 7 p.m., kicking off a four-game homestand. The contest is part of Alumni Weekend, with numerous former Phoenix greats expected to be in attendance and recognized for their accomplishments. Banners will also be unveiled at the Kress Center honoring the success of Green Bay's teams before the program became a Division I program in the 1981-82 season.

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