By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Green Bay (21-7, 10-4) used three-pointers to build a 50-44 lead with 5:01 to play on Friday night, but visiting Cleveland State (17-11, 11-3 HL) responded with an 8-0 run and then scored the first five points of overtime to down the Phoenix 66-61 at the Resch Center. The loss was the first at home for the Phoenix in 2014-15 after opening with 12-straight wins.

Seniors Greg Mays (Chicago, Ill.) and Keifer Sykes (Chicago, Ill.), who combined for 57 points on Wednesday, again led the Phoenix. Sykes drained a three for the lead with 8:03 to play, and Mays connected on one of his own to cap an 8-0 run. Mays scored 19 points and added seven rebounds and four blocks, and Sykes tallied 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

After CSU's 8-0 run, Sykes tied the score at 52-52 with 1:55 to play. As the shot clock was winding down on the Vikings next possession, Charlie Lee banked in a three-pointer from 30 feet away from the bucket. Sykes scored in the lane again to cut the margin to 55-54, and after a steal junior Carrington Love (Milwaukee, Wis.) went to the line with 32 seconds left. Love split the free throws to tie the score.

Cleveland State missed on its final shot, and Green Bay was unable to get a shot off after the officials left just 0.5 seconds remaining.

In the overtime session, the Vikings made two free throws and then after a defensive stop knocked down a triple for a 60-55 lead with 2:07 to play. The Phoenix could get no closer than three the rest of the way.

The Phoenix returns to action on Thursday, playing at UIC at 7 p.m.

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