COLLEGE PARK, Md.– Ninth-seeded Green Bay (28-5) gave undefeated Princeton (31-0) all it could handle on Saturday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, taking a 35-34 lead into halftime. However, the nation’s best three-point shooting team knocked down 9-of-16 from long range and was clutch at the free-throw line down the stretch to post an 80-70 win over the Phoenix.
With the President of the United States Barack Obama watching courtside, eighth-seeded Princeton, ranked 13th nationally, made six of its first eight attempts from long range and led 30-22 with 7:33 to play in the first half. Sophomore Tesha Buck (Red Wing, Minn.) closed a 13-2 run with back-to-back jumpers as Green Bay led 35-34 at intermission.
Princeton took the lead early in the second half, but Green Bay responded numerous times to tie the game three-straight times. The Tigers used a 15-3 run to break a 45-45 tie and lead 60-48 with 8:58 remaining.
Refusing to wilt, Green Bay again responded and closed the deficit to four (69-65) on a layup by senior Megan Lukan (Barrie, Ontario) with 2:14 on the clock. Princeton made 9-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes to ensure the Phoenix would get no closer.
Sophomore Mehryn Kraker (West Allis, Wis.) led the Phoenix with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-9 from long range. Junior Kaili Lukan (Barrie, Ontario) added 17 points and eight rebounds, and uck also reached double figures with 14 points while adding six assists.
Green Bay forced 19 turnovers while committing just seven miscues, but the Tigers held a huge advantage at the free-throw line (21-8) and in the rebounding battle (49-22) to combat the 22-6 edge the Phoenix had in points off turnovers.
Making its 15th trip to the NCAA Tournament after winning a 17th consecutive conference championship, Green Bay concluded its season at an impressive 28-5. Megan Lukan concluded her accomplished career as the Phoenix point guard with four points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.\
**Release courtesy of Green Bay Athletic Communications.
