By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – It was the start of a new year and only an exhibition game, but a similar story played itself out on Thursday night at the Resch Center. Senior Keifer Sykes (Chicago, Ill.), who averaged 12 points per game after halftime in 2013-14, scored all 16 of his points in the second half and added 10 assists and five rebounds as Green Bay defeated Ripon 78-56.

On the strength of strong play from senior forwards Greg Mays (Chicago, Ill.) and Alfonzo McKinnie (Chicago, Ill.), the Phoenix led by as many as 10 points in the opening half. Ripon rallied to cut the deficit in half by halftime as Green Bay led 31-26 at the break.

Sykes, who took only two shots while dishing out six assists in a scoreless opening half, scored all 16 of his points in the first seven minutes and 10 seconds of the second half as the Phoenix pushed its lead to double digits.

Sykes, Mays (12) and McKinnie (10) combined for 38 points on 18-of-30 shooting while junior Carrington Love (Milwaukee, Wis.) knocked down two three-pointers en route to an 11-point night.

McKinnie played in only nine games in an injury plagued junior campaign, but showed the punch he could provide the offense with a variety of jumpers and buckets around the rim.

Green Bay's trademark defense and rebounding showed itself in the second half, holding Ripon to just 10-of-29 from the field and 3-of-15 from long range. The Phoenix trailed 14-7 on the glass early, but held a 30-11 margin after halftime.

Freshman Khalil Small (Chicago, Ill.) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds while sophomore Kenneth Lowe (Little Chute, Wis.) added seven rebounds.

Ripon was led by Kyle Loughrin, who scored a game-high 24 points.

Green Bay officially opens the 2014-15 season on Saturday, Nov. 15, hosting Illinois-Springfield at 3 p.m.

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