By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
MADISON, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Green Bay (1-1) jumped out to a quick start and got 20 points from senior Keifer Sykes (Chicago, Ill.), but dominant frontline play from No. 3/4 Wisconsin (3-0) and foul trouble doomed the Phoenix in an 84-60 loss in the Kohl Center on Wednesday night.
In the first half, Sykes got things started with an impressive step back jumper on the opening possession. After an alley oop from Sykes to senior Greg Mays (Chicago, Ill.), Green Bay led 5-3 before the Badgers scored nine in a row. Led by Sykes, who during one stretch made five-straight field goals, the visitors fought back to tie the score at 20-20.
The score was 26-24 with just over five minutes to play before half, but with four players getting whistled for at least three first-half fouls, Wisconsin shot 23 free throws and went into the break with a 38-29 lead. Green Bay committed 15 fouls in the half compared to just five for the Badgers, and Wisconsin knocked down 13-of-23 free throws.
The Badgers continued the run into the second half, scoring 11 of the first 14 points. Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes, who scored a game-high 25 points, knocked down back-to-back three-pointers minutes later to push the margin to 19 points, and the hosts never looked back.
Hayes and All-Americans Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker combined for 64 points, 30 rebounds and eight blocked shots.
Sykes, who scored 32 points against Wisconsin in last season's meeting, went 9-of-17 from the field en route to 20 points. Mays added eight points and sophomore Jordan Fouse (Racine, Wis.) scored six points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Green Bay returns to action on Monday, Nov. 24 in the Gulf Coast Showcase, facing East Carolina in a first-round matchup at 11 a.m. CST.
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