By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Opening the season with Military Appreciation Day and a celebration of the 2013-14 Horizon League championship, the Green Bay men's basketball team used a 28-7 run to close the first half and rolled to an 88-57 victory over visiting Illinois-Springfield on Saturday afternoon at the Resch Center.
Leading the victory, reigning Horizon League Player of the Year Keifer Sykes (Chicago, Ill.) scored 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting to become the tenth player in program history to reach 1,500 career points. The 6-foot guard added six assists without a turnover.
Green Bay scored the first eight points of the afternoon and led 17-5, but the Prairie Stars responded with a 13-1 run to tie the game at 18-18 midway through the half. The Phoenix closed the half with a flurry, including the final 13 points to lead 46-25. Junior Carrington Love (Milwaukee, Wis.) drained a pair of triples and Sykes added another during the run.
The Phoenix finished the opening half 18-of-34 from the field and shot 47.7 percent from the field (31-65). Aided by 12 blocks, tied for third most in program history, Green Bay's defense held UIS to just 32.8 percent shooting (21-64). Sophomore newcomer Henry Uwadiae (Benin City, Nigeria) had five of the blocks, with each coming in six minutes in the first half.
Senior Greg Mays (Chicago, Ill.) scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Phoenix and junior Jordan Fouse (Racine, Wis.) added 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Phoenix bench scored 32 points, with freshman Daeshon Francis (Indianapolis, Ind.) shining in his collegiate debut with nine points, five rebounds and four assists. Senior Alfonzo McKinnie (Chicago, Ill.) knocked down two three-pointers and added eight points.
Looking sharp in its opener, Green Bay tallied 19 assists to just 11 turnovers and knocked down 17-of-20 free throws, including 15 consecutive at one point.
The Phoenix will return to action on Wednesday, playing No. 3/4 Wisconsin at the Kohl Center at 8 p.m. The game will be televised live nationally on the Big Ten Network.
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