GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Despite hanging tough with an unbeaten Green Bay squad for much of a back-and-forth first half, the Missouri State Lady Bears were outscored 27-8 over a 12-minute span as the Phoenix ran away with an 80-56 victory Wednesday evening at Kress Events Center. Lavesa Glover scored 12 of her 17 points in the opening half to lead four double-figure scorers for the Phoenix.
After the Lady Bears opened the game by grabbing an early 6-2 lead behind three-pointers from Jaleshia Roberson and Casey Garrison, Green Bay responded with a 17-4 run over an eight-minute span to take control of the contest.
After MSU had pulled to within 21-15 on a Roxy Stiles three-pointer with 7:41 to play in the half, Erin Templin knocked down a field goal to start what would ultimately become a 27-8 run . Glover combined with Celeste Hoewisch for 23 points in the opening stanza, as the Phoenix took a commanding 39-23 lead into intermission. Green Bay reeled off 15 unanswered points over a five and-a-half minute period, including the first six points of the second half to extend its lead to 48-23 with 16:44 to play.
Green Bay, which hit on 53.6 percent of its first-half field goal attempts, was able to take over the contest by limiting Missouri State to 33.3 percent shooting from the field and forcing 11 turnovers in the opening stanza.
The Lady Bears never seriously threatened in the second half, as Green Bay stretched its lead to as many as 27 points. The Phoenix finished the game shooting .506 from the field, while MSU hit just 36.2 percent of its tries from the floor.
Hoewisch, Rachel Porath and Kati Harty each finished with 13 points for the Phoenix, which improved to 6-0 to match its best start ever.
Garrison totaled 19 points on the evening on 5-of-10 shooting and a 7-of-7 performance at the foul line. The Bolivar, Mo., product also pulled down a team-high eight boards and recorded three steals, also a Lady Bear best.
Next up, the Lady Bears return home to open a three-game home stand with a Sunday (Dec. 7) afternoon match-up against Western Kentucky. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. at JQH Arena.
