Late free throws help Wisconsin-Green Bay upset Virginia in first-round NCAA women’s game

Green Bay upsets Virginia 69-67 in first-round

AMES, Iowa — Celeste Hoewisch scored 23 points and 12th-seeded Wisconsin-Green Bay let most of a 16-point lead slip away before holding on to beat Virginia 69-67 Sunday night in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament.

After it appeared the Phoenix (28-4) would win in a rout, fifth-seeded Virginia forced a slew of turnovers by turning up its defensive pressure and cut the lead to 64-63 on Ariana Moorer’s two free throws with 32.7 seconds left.

But Wisconsin-Green Bay steadied just enough to make five free throws in the closing seconds to move into the second round.

It was a disappointing ending for Virginia’s Monica Wright, the ACC player of the year and the school’s career scoring leader. Wright did her part with 34 points and nine rebounds, but didn’t get the help she needed from her teammates.