ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by frigid shooting, the Green Bay Phoenix edged the Kansas State Wildcats 47-44 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at the Resch Center.

The game was a contest of attrition, with both teams combining to shoot under 34 percent from the floor and a dismal 6 of 42 from three-point range. The victory improved Green Bay’s record to 5-1, while Kansas State fell to 4-3.

Despite a game-high 21 points and nine rebounds from Kansas State’s Nastja Claessens, the Wildcats’ offense never found a consistent rhythm. The team from the Big 12 Conference managed only 16 points in the first half and finished the game with an offensive rating of 59.6 points per 100 possessions.

Green Bay, which never trailed after the first quarter, was led by a double-double from Meghan Schultz, who tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Kamy Peppler facilitated the offense with seven assists and six rebounds, while Maddy Skorupski added 13 points.

The Phoenix built a 23-16 halftime lead and maintained a narrow advantage throughout the second half. Kansas State mounted a challenge in the fourth quarter, closing the gap to a single possession on multiple occasions. A driving layup by Claessens with just over two minutes remaining cut the Green Bay lead to 45-44.

On the ensuing possession, Peppler found Schultz for a critical layup with 1:23 left, pushing the lead back to three points. Kansas State had multiple opportunities to tie the game in the final minute but came up empty. A blocked three-point attempt by Izela Arenas with eight seconds left and a missed desperation three at the buzzer sealed the victory for the Phoenix.

Defense was the story, as both teams registered more steals than assists. Kansas State forced 15 turnovers and notched 13 steals, while Green Bay capitalized on 16 Wildcats turnovers.

Kansas State’s Gina Garcia contributed seven assists, but the team’s shooting woes, particularly a 2-for-23 performance from beyond the arc, proved insurmountable. Green Bay’s slightly more efficient offense, scoring 47 points on 69 possessions for a 68.3 offensive rating, was just enough to secure the win in front of a crowd of 1,995.

Both teams will head to Cancún, Mexico, for their next contests. Kansas State is scheduled to face Columbia on Thursday, while Green Bay will take on North Carolina State.