GREEN BAY, Wis. - Green Bay men's basketball team opened Horizon League play with an 81-67 loss to in-state rival Milwaukee at the Resch Center Thursday.
The Phoenix (0-7, 0-1 HL) had four players score in double figures, led by Cade Meyer's 19 points and two blocks. Brock Heffner and Randy Tucker helped out with 12 points, and Zae Blake chipped in with 10.
Ahmad Rand led Milwaukee with 13 points. The Panthers (6-3, 1-0 HL) had five players score in double figures, with Markeith Browning and Jalen Johnson dropping in 12, Justin Thomas chipping in with 11, and Keon Edwards adding 10.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams kept the game within range for most of the first half, with neither squad leading by more than four for the first 19:03. Milwaukee, up 29-28 with 4:43 remaining in the first frame, ripped off a 14-5 run to take a 43-33 lead into the break. The Panthers were helped by three Green Bay turnovers, turning them into six points in that span. Meyer had a tremendous first half, scoring 11 points, one block, and one rebound.
The Panthers kept widening their lead out of intermission, opening the stanza with a 12-4 run capped by a Thomas layup to make it 55-37 with 13:23 left. Green Bay would try to claw back and eventually pulled to within 11 after Clarence Cummings III drove inside the lane for a layup. However, an alley-oop by Rand put a stamp on the game for Milwaukee to make it 68-48 with 7:43 to go. Heffner and Meyer continued to battle in the lane, but it wasn't enough in the 81-67 loss.
GAME NOTES
» The Phoenix grabbed 33 rebounds compared to Milwaukee's 32.
» Green Bay's defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Green Bay cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» The Phoenix got a team-high six rebounds from Zae Blake.
COMING UP
Green Bay will turn its attention to IUPUI, who comes to Titletown for a Monday morning tilt. The Phoenix and Jaguars will tip off at 11 a.m. at the Resch Center on Education Day presented by Cousin's Subs. Purchase tickets here, watch the game on ESPN+, or follow the action with live stats.
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