Green Bay topples Detroit to win Horizon

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis.

Julie Wojta came through with a performance No. 10 Wisconsin-Green Bay is used to getting from its standout senior. Freshman Megan Lukan also had a strong game for the Phoenix when they needed it.

Wojta had 29 points and 12 rebounds, Lukan scored 20 points and Green Bay beat Detroit 66-53 to win the Horizon League tournament title and return to the NCAA tournament for a fourth straight year.

The Phoenix (30-1) were all but assured an at-large NCAA bid even if the Titans had won, but Green Bay avenged its only regular-season loss and made its case for a high seed when the tournament pairings are released today.

“Your senior year you want it to end the way you picture it and that’s exactly what this was,” Wojta said. “It was a close exciting game and there’s more emotion behind it and we had to fight for it and really come together as a team. I think just that feeling of doing that and coming out with a win is something you’ll remember.”

Wojta, the conference player of the year, was also selected tournament MVP as she had double-doubles in both the semifinal and final games. However, was Lukan who provided the big lift when Green Bay was in trouble early on.

Detroit (20-13) led by nine early, but Lukan had 11 points — including three 3-pointers — in the first half to help the Phoenix pull to 30-27 at the break.

Lukan downplayed her big game, saying it was a result of the Titans focusing on the Phoenix’s other scoring threats, but Wojta said Lukan’s contribution was immense.

“Don’t let her fool you. She’s a freshman and she stepped up huge,” Wojta said. “It’s just amazing to see how far Megan has come this year.”