GREEN BAY, Wis. - Plagued by turnovers, the University of North Dakota suffered a 80-43 defeat to No. 21 Green Bay in non-conference action on Wednesday evening at the Kress Center. Taking advantage of a season-high 30 turnovers committed by UND (1-4), the undefeated Phoenix (7-0) quickly grabbed control of the game and at one point held a 47-point lead.
"Green Bay plays extremely hard and they work well together," said head coach Gene Roebuck. "Green Bay and Gonzaga will probably be the two best teams that we will face this season. What we need to do now is put this one in the memory bank and move forward."
Led by 12 points off of the bench by Stephanie Sension, the Phoenix finished with four players in double figures. Julie Wojta, Celeste Hoewisch, and Kayla Tetschlag finished with 10 points apiece.
Green Bay scored a total of 34 points off of UND turnovers and landed another 33 from the charity stripe. Combined, the teams shot 60 free throws.
The Fighting Sioux were led by true freshman Madi Buck, who was added to the active roster just this week. In her collegiate debut, the forward from Bismarck, N.D. shot 3-for-7 from the field and 4-for-7 from the free throw line to finish with 11 points. During her 30 minutes of play, she tallied seven rebounds, an assist, a blocked shot, and committed just one turnover.
Senior Mallory Youngblut (F, Davenport, Iowa) also brought down a team-high seven rebounds (five defense).
"Madi Buck definitely stepped on the floor and came out as our best player today," said Roebuck. "We have to get her in the lineup because she really does know how to play. She plays hard and when she makes a mistake, she doesn't get down on herself."
Not only did UND struggle to maintain ball control, but it also found it hard to get the shots to fall. In the first half, the Sioux shot 4-for-20 (.200) from the field and were held to just two free throws in the final six minutes. Stepping into the new stanza, UND went without a field goal through the first seven minutes.
In sum, UND shot .250 from the field (10-for-40), .285 from three-point range (4-for-14), and .615 (16-for-26) from the free throw line. The Phoenix were .355 (22-for-62) from the field, .333 (6-for-18) beyond the arc, and .786 (33-for-42) at the line.
Green Bay scored 24 points in the paint and 15 on second chances. Buck, along with the other five UND reserves, combined for 24 points.
On Saturday, Dec. 4, the Fighting Sioux will return to Grand Forks to host Drake in their first and only home game in December. Tip-off between the Sioux and the Bulldogs is scheduled for Noon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
GAME NOTES: In all five games this season, the University of North Dakota has been led by a freshman in double figures ... The University of North Dakota women's basketball program holds a 769-285 (.730) record all-time since the first game was played in 1974. Under head coach Gene Roebuck, UND is 593-121 (.831).
- Go Sioux -
