Women's Basketball Defeats Arizona 81-59 :: Porath, Harty and Hoewisch each tally career-bests with 21, 18 and 10 points, respectively

Women's Basketball Defeats Arizona 81-59

Porath, Harty and Hoewisch each tally career-bests with 21, 18 and 10 points, respectively

Kati Harty had a career-high 18 points Thursday.

Dec. 20, 2007

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay women's basketball team (6-3) dominated the first half of play Thursday night as the Phoenix jumped to a 40-15 halftime lead and never looked back in its 81-59 win over Arizona at the Kress Center.

Green Bay juniors Rachel Porath and Kati Harty both set career highs in scoring in the win, with Porath posting a game-high 21 points for her third 20-point game of her career. Harty matched her previous career high of 15 points in the first 10 minutes of play and added a three-pointer in the second half for 18 points.

Kayla Groh also scored in double figures with 13 points while freshman Celeste Hoewisch reached double figures for the first time in her collegiate career with 10 points.

Arizona (6-5), which only had six players suited up for the contest, was led by Amina Njonkou's 18 points and 10 rebounds. Beatrice Bofia also had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while Ashley Whisonant posted 15 points.

After Arizona opened the game with a bucket, Green Bay rattled off 13 straight points to jump to an 11-point lead. Harty was the driving force for the rally, and with her fastbreak layup with 10:13 left in the first half, the junior guard matched her career high with 15 points.

The Wildcats kept it close, but the Phoenix defense clamped down for the final 6:15 of the game holding Arizona without a field goal and capping a 13-3 run on a buzzer-beating layup by Porath for a 25-point halftime lead.

Porath kept momentum in the second half, as she had six quick points as Green Bay stretched its lead to 30. Arizona battled back and took advantage of 12 Phoenix second-half turnovers to pull within 15 points twice, but could get no closer.

After struggling from the free throw line in four previous home games, Green Bay found its groove going a perfect 9-of-9 at the line. The Phoenix also fired a red-hot 55.6 percent from long range on 10-18 shooting.

Green Bay returns to action Saturday when it concludes its three-game home stand against North Dakota State at 7 p.m. at the Kress Center.