(Interstat) — In a tense Horizon League women’s basketball clash that came down to the final seconds, Green Bay edged Cleveland State 58-55 on Friday night at the Resch Center. A crowd of 2,300 watched as the Phoenix, who led for nearly 33 minutes of game time, withstood a furious late rally by the Vikings to secure the conference victory.

The game was a defensive struggle from the outset, characterized by physical play and disrupted offensive rhythms. Green Bay established an early edge, closing the first quarter on a 5-0 run to lead 16-13. Cleveland State responded forcefully in the second period, using a 13-2 surge to build its largest lead of the night at 32-24. The run was fueled by Colbi Maples, who scored eight points during the stretch, including two three-pointers. However, the Phoenix closed the half with the final four points to trim the Viking advantage to 32-26 at the break.

The third quarter proved decisive, as Green Bay seized control with a dominant 17-4 run out of halftime. The Phoenix defense stifled Cleveland State, holding the visitors to just 10 points in the quarter. Jenna Guyer was instrumental in the turnaround, scoring eight points during the run, including two three-pointers, as Green Bay built a 43-36 lead heading into the final frame.

Cleveland State refused to capitulate. Trailing 55-48 with under two minutes to play, the Vikings mounted a desperate comeback. Izabella Zingaro, who led all scorers with 17 points, converted a three-point play with 34 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 56-55. Following a Green Bay turnover, Cleveland State had a chance to take the lead but missed two free throws with 2.2 seconds left.

On the ensuing possession, Guyer was fouled and calmly sank both free throws with less than a second on the clock to extend the Phoenix lead to three. Cleveland State’s last-ditch full-court heave was unsuccessful, sealing the Green Bay victory.

Guyer, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Circle Pines, Minnesota, led Green Bay with 15 points, while Kristina Ouimette of Minocqua, Wisconsin, added 14. The Phoenix were buoyed by a stellar defensive effort that included nine blocked shots, with Meghan Schultz of Waukesha contributing three. Maddy Skorupski of Clarkston, Michigan, orchestrated the offense with nine assists.

For Cleveland State, Zingaro’s 17 points and eight rebounds paced the Vikings. Maples, from Earle, Arkansas, finished with 14 points and three assists, and Jada Leonard of the Bronx, New York, added 10 points. The Vikings were hampered by 18 turnovers, which Green Bay converted into 19 points.

The most critical phase of the game was unquestionably Green Bay’s third-quarter outburst. After being outplayed for much of the first half, the Phoenix emerged from halftime with intensified defensive pressure, forcing Cleveland State into a series of rushed shots and turnovers. This defensive stance directly fueled their transition offense, allowing them to erase the deficit and build a cushion that ultimately proved insurmountable, despite the Vikings’ late push.

With the win, Green Bay improved to 10-5 overall and 2-1 in Horizon League play. Cleveland State, which had its three-game winning streak snapped, fell to 12-4 and 2-1. The outcome defied the pregame statistical projections, which heavily favored Green Bay. Both teams return to action Sunday in league play, with Green Bay hosting Robert Morris and Cleveland State traveling to face Milwaukee.