By GREEN BAY ATHLETICS
MADISON, Wis. - The Green Bay men’s basketball team found themselves in a defensive battle at the Kohl Center against the Wisconsin Badgers on Nov. 15. The Phoenix outscored the Badgers 32-24 in the second half, but ultimately fell 56-45.
Zae Blake led the Phoenix (0-3) with 15 points and four steals, while Cade Meyer added 13 points and three rebounds.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well, with Green Bay’s defense holding Wisconsin to just 30.2% shooting from the field. Green Bay 34.1% from the floor and 14.3% from 3-point range.
Both defenses came to play in the first half, with the Phoenix shooting just 20.8% to the Badgers’ 29.4%. Wisconsin got out to a 15-11 lead before it went on an 11-0 run in three minutes to grab a commanding 26-11 lead with 4:08 left in the half.
Wisconsin expanded on that lead to go into halftime with a 32-15 advantage.
Green Bay clawed back into the game almost immediately at the start of the second half, thanks in large part to eight points from Meyer.
In the first seven minutes of the half, the Phoenix outscored the Badgers 14-3 to bring the game to within six, 35-29.
The two teams went basket-for-basket and Green Bay was still within six with five minutes remaining, but the hosts pulled away for the 56-45 victory.
Up next, the Phoenix is headed to the sandy beaches of Montego Bay this weekend for the Jersey Mike’s Jamaica Classic. Green Bay will start the tournament by taking on Queens on Friday before taking on either Utah Valley or Morgan State on Sunday.