Phoenix left out in the cold

Slow start leads to early exit

SOUTH BEND, Ind. There will be no rematch against Notre Dame for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s basketball team.

UWGB’s season ended with a 74-62 loss to Purdue in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night at Purcell Pavilion.

The Phoenix was hoping to beat the Boilermakers and get another shot at No. 1 seed Notre Dame, which beat No. 8 seed UWGB by just four points earlier this season.

“Very proud of our team,” UWGB coach Kevin Borseth said. “Thought they played really hard right till the end. Obviously a disappointing finish for us, but congratulations to Purdue.”

The Boilermakers shot 51.2% overall (21 for 41), 50% from three-point range (6 for 12) and 86.7% (26 for 30) from the line to help offset 23 turnovers that led to 18 points for UWGB.

The Phoenix wasn’t near as good on offense, finishing at 32.9% (23 for 70) overall.

Senior forward Mehryn Kraker led UWGB with 23 points, while junior forward Jessica Lindstrom had 15 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late.

The Boilermakers scored 17 of the first 20 points to start the game as UWGB missed seven straight shots.

“They got out in passing lanes. They are long. They are athletic,” Kraker said. “That makes you think twice about a lot of the plays you normally make.”