By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
NORMAL, Ill. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Fifth-seeded Green Bay (24-9) saw its 2014-15 season come to an end on Wednesday night, falling 69-56 in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at fourth-seeded Illinois State (22-12). The Phoenix led 31-24 at the break, but the host Redbirds used a 10-0 run late to pull away for the victory.
Senior Keifer Sykes (Chicago, Ill.) scored 14 points in the final game of his career to lead the Phoenix, finishing his illustrious career with 2,096 points (2nd in program history), 526 assists (3rd), 467 rebounds and 155 steals (7th). Fellow senior Alfonzo McKinnie (Chicago, Ill.) added 11 points and senior Greg Mays (Chicago, Ill.) added eight points.
Illinois State opened the game with an 11-2 lead, but the Phoenix responded with the next six points. Trailing 16-11, Green Bay went on a 12-2 spurt 23-18 with 3:34 to play in the first half. A jumper by Mays just before the halftime buzzer provided the Phoenix with a 31-24 halftime lead. Green Bay's defense held the Redbirds to just 5-of-25 shooting in the first half.
An 11-1 run early in the second half gave the Redbirds a 40-34 lead, but Sykes capped a 5-0 run with a triple at the 9:26 mark to tie the game at 44-44.
The score was tied at 48 after a left-handed hook in the lane by McKinnie with 5:53 remaining, but Illinois State's Daishon Knight answered with five-straight points. Moments later, the Redbirds went on the 10-0 run.
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