MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay shot almost 60 percent from the floor and scored 52 points in the paint in handing the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team a 79-62 loss Saturday afternoon at the Klotsche Center.
 
The Panthers (8-15, 4-7 Horizon League) made 11 three-pointers and shot 45 percent themselves, but the Phoenix (20-4, 10-1 Horizon League) stayed in control from start to finish to earn the victory.
 
"They are a very tough team and that is why they are in first place in our league and why a lot of people struggle to compete with them," Milwaukee head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "We have a young team and if we want to play with the top teams in our league and compete, then we have to get that level of toughness. We can't give up easy offensive rebounds and we have to get more physical when teams are posting us up."
 
Freshman Jenny Lindner led the UWM offense with 18 points. She was joined in double-figures by junior Sydney Howard (12) and senior Ashley Green (12), who was hounded by double and triple-team defense all day. Howard was superb, making a career-high four three-pointers and adding four assists.
 
"I think there are a lot of teams in our league who will guard Ashley like that," Rechlicz said. "She's an amazing player and garners that attention and it's well-deserved. It was nice to see a freshman step up and hit some shots. Those were big 3's for us when we needed them to make a run there and try and get back into it. And I thought Sydney Howard played fearless tonight. She had this edge to her and that is what you need from an upper-classmen point guard."
 
Green Bay was led by 24 points from Mehryn Kraker, who finished 10-of-14 from the floor. Tesha Buck netted 17 and Megan Lukan had an all-around line of 10 assists, eight points and six rebounds. The Phoenix dominated on the inside all game, finishing with a 52-14 advantage on points in the paint.
 
"Tonight they got us in the paint," Rechlicz said. "The word I like to use is 'beast' – we got beasted in the paint. I think they do a great job of moving the basketball and taking good shots and it's something our team can learn from."
 
The Phoenix jumped out to an 11-3 lead and took its first double-digit advantage at 23-13 on a Buck layup with just under nine minutes left in the first half.
 
Green Bay led 36-27 at intermission and scored the first hoop of the second half to lead by 11. The Panthers clawed back in and Howard's three had them back within six at 38-32.
 
From there, a pair of Phoenix 3's regained the momentum and a 12-2 run helped it take control at 60-40. The Panthers would get no closer than 15 the rest of the way.
 
Up next, Milwaukee remains at home to host Youngstown State next week Thursday. Tip off time is set for 7 p.m. from the Klotsche Center.