CHICAGO, Ill. - Heading
into tonight's game, the last time 17/14 Green Bay (16-1, 5-1) lost to Loyola (10-8,
4-3) was January 21, 1995 (49-61), exactly 15 years ago to the day when the
Phoenix were again beat by the Ramblers.
"We just didn't come out strong in the first half; we always
tell our players they're good because of how hard they play but tonight we just
didn't have a good start," said head coach Matt Bollant.
Green Bay's 35 consecutive regular-season Horizon League
winning streak and 34 consecutive regular-season game winning streak came to an
end at the Gentile Center Thursday night. But on the other hand three new
season records were set; none that warrant a page in the record books.
The Phoenix had their worst shooting percentage in a half
shooting 35 percent, had their largest halftime deficit (11) and for the first
time this season trailed at the break (25-36).
In the second half Loyola led by as many as 15, Green Bay's
largest deficit of the season during a game.
Trailing 59-50 with 2:16 left in the game, Green Bay got a
big defensive rebound and turned it into a 3-point play from Julie Wojta
(Mishicot, Wis.) to cut Loyola's lead to six. With both teams in the double
bonus, Loyola sank two free throws and the Phoenix answered with a
three-pointer from Hannah Quilling (Eau Claire, Wis.) in the right corner.
Trailing 56-60 and applying full-court pressure, Kayla Tetschlag (Sheboygan, Wis.) had a huge block defensively followed by a bucket
underneath to cut the Ramblers lead to two (58-60). Forced to foul, Loyola
maintained their lead and upset 17/14 Green Bay 65-63 in front of 759 people.
"We never like to say we're going to learn something only if
we lose, but regardless of us winning or losing we can always learn something,"
said Bollant.
Wojta led all scorers with 21 points while Tetschlag posted her second career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Green Bay will look to rebound at UIC who also suffered a
loss tonight against Milwaukee (51-50) just 12 miles away.
---www.GreenBayPhoenix.com---
