GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay men's basketball team got 65 points from its starters, including a career-high-tying 19 from junior Charles Cooper in its Horizon League-opener on Saturday afternoon, as the Phoenix ran past conference-newcomer Northern Kentucky in the programs' first-ever meeting at the Resch Center, 86-70. The win marked Green Bay head coach Linc Darner's 300th career coaching victory.
Senior guard Carrington Love added 18 points and a game-high seven assists, which tied a career high, as the Phoenix had four players eclipse double-figures including Khalil Small (14) and Jordan Fouse (12).
After trailing by five with 9:42 remaining in the opening half, Green Bay used a 17-2 run over a 6 minute, 52-second stretch to take its largest lead in the first half, 37-27, a run that was sparked by a pair rim-rattling dunks by Cooper and a pair of triples by fellow junior Turner Botz (eight points).
Love gave the Phoenix a double-digit edge into the break, 43-33, going the length of the floor in the final seconds before swooping in for a layup that just beat the horn. The Norse ended the first half missing two of its final 10 shots from the field.
Green Bay continued to extend its advantage out of the break, and took its largest lead of 23 points, 71-48, with 9:07 left before ultimately winning for the eighth time in its last 10 games.
Despite being outrebounded by six, 43-37, the Phoenix made up for it by forcing the Norse into 18 turnovers, one shy of its season average, holding Northern Kentucky to just 4-of-18 (22.2 percent) from beyond the arc while connecting on 13-of-18 (72.2 percent) of its free-throw attempts.
The Norse were led by Jalen Billups who contributed 18 points, while Drew McDonald chipped in with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Green Bay (8-5, 1-0 HL) will have a quick turnaround as its Horizon League slate continues on Monday night against Wright State (6-7), who opens its conference schedule in Milwaukee on Saturday afternoon.
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