ROCHESTER, Mich. (Dec. 13, 2009) - The Green Bay Phoenix
(9-3) had its five-game winning streak snapped by the Oakland Grizzlies (5-5) Sunday
afternoon at the Athletics Center O'Rena, as Oakland picked up a 76-52 victory
on its home court. The Grizzlies stormed out of halftime with a 14-2 run,
turning a three-point game into a double-digit lead.
Green Bay was without the services of leading scorer Rahmon
Fletcher (Kansas City, Mo.) due to an injury. The result was the team's lowest
point total (52) and shooting percentage (.345) of the season. It was just the
second time that the Phoenix was held under 40 percent from the field. Green
Bay had scored at least 85 points in each of its past three contests prior to
Sunday's game.
Green Bay made its first two 3-point tries of the game, but went
just 3 of 18 from beyond the arc the rest of the way.
Oakland had a 40-29 advantage on the backboards and
attempted 24 free throws to just nine for the Phoenix. Keith Benson had 23
points, 18 rebounds and six blocked shots to lead the Grizzlies.
Troy Cotton (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored a team-high 12 points,
while Bryquis Perine (Milwaukee, Wis.) added 10. Cotton has now reached double
figures in 11 consecutive games, while Perine has done so eight straight times.
Cotton also paced the squad with six rebounds.
Oakland held a 32-29 lead at halftime. It was just the third
time this year that the Phoenix trailed at intermission. Green Bay led by as
many as six, 15-9, in the early going.
The Phoenix is next in action Saturday at 2 p.m. when it
hosts league foe Youngstown State at the Resch Center. Green Bay is one of
three 2-0 teams in Horizon League play.
--GreenBayPhoenix.com--
