By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
CHICAGO, Ill. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Playing his final collegiate game in his hometown, senior Keifer Sykes (Chicago, Ill.) had a night to remember on Thursday at UIC. The Windy City native drained a three-pointer before the halftime buzzer, capping a 21-point half and moving past 2,000 points for his career.
In the second half, after UIC rallied to tie the game at 61 with 2:54 to play, Sykes put the Phoenix back in front and scored nine points in the final 2:36 to finish with a career-high 36 points and lead Green Bay (22-7, 11-4 HL) to a 72-67 victory.
Sykes made 10-of-14 shots in the opening half, scoring five points and adding two assists and two steals as Green Bay closed on an 11-0 run to lead 40-25 at the break. With under 10 seconds on the clock, Sykes grabbed a rebound, drove the floor and connected on a triple as the horn sounded to reach the 2,000-point milestone.
With 2,017 career points, Sykes joined Tony Bennett as the only players in Green Bay history in the 2,000-point club. Sykes moved into ninth place on the Horizon League's scoring list and became the first player in league history to tally 2,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists.
UIC shot 58.3 percent in the second half and drained four threes to close the game, finally tying the game with under three minutes remaining. The Flames would never lead, however, with Sykes scoring on the other end and then getting a steal. Junior Carrington Love (Milwaukee, Wis.) found senior Alfonzo McKinnie (Chicago, Ill.) for a dunk and a 65-61 lead.
McKinnie, a high school teammate of Sykes at Marshall High School, recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Sykes added six rebounds, four steals and three assists. Junior Jordan Fouse (Racine, Wis.) had seven assists without a turnover and added six rebounds, two blocks and two assists.
Green Bay returns to action on Saturday afternoon for its regular season finale, hosting Oakland at 1 p.m. The contest will be Senior Day and honor Sykes, McKinnie and fellow seniors Greg Mays (Chicago, Ill.) and Josh Humphrey (Chicago, Ill.) in a pregame ceremony beginning at approximately 12:40 p.m. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Keifer Sykes bobblehead.
#
For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.
Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix and @GBPhoenixMBB.
Like Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball and Green Bay Phoenix Athletics on Facebook.
