By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)

VALPARAISO, Ind. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – After a defensive slugfest in the opening 20 minutes, visiting Green Bay (20-6, 9-3 HL) fell behind by as many as 15 points in the second half and saw its furious rally come up short in a 63-59 loss at Valparaiso (23-4, 10-2 HL) on Friday night.

Senior point guard Keifer Sykes (Chicago, Ill.), who required stitches in the first half of Wednesday's win before hitting the game-winning shot, was limited on Friday night after suffering a hand injury in the first half. The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year had to watch much of the second half from the bench.

With the Phoenix trailing by 11 with 3: 13 to play, junior Carrington Love (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored nine points to spark a comeback. Love buried a three-pointer with 35 seconds left to cut the deficit to 59-57. After two free throws by Valpo, Love scored on a driving layup to cut the deficit to 61-59 with 22 seconds remaining.

Valpo again sank two free throws, and Love's three-pointer on the other end went in and out and the Crusaders escaped.

Love finished with 15 points to lead four Phoenix players in double figures. Junior Jordan Fouse (Racine, Wis.) added 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals, and seniors Greg Mays (Chicago, Ill.) and Alfonzo McKinnie (Chicago, Ill.) tallied 10 points each. Mays added five of Green Bay's 11 blocks and four assists.

Green Bay finished the game 17-of-52 from the field and 5-of-15 from long range. The Phoenix connected on 20-of-29 free throws on the night.

Now tied for second place, the Phoenix returns home on Wednesday night to host Detroit at 7 p.m. Green Bay also hosts Cleveland State on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Resch Center.

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