GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay men's basketball team returned to the Resch Center for the first time in 19 days on Saturday afternoon, as it hung tough with one of the top scoring teams in the nation, but in the end Oakland outlasted the Phoenix, 111-95, on a career day from guard Max Hooper.
Green Bay received double-figures from all five of its starters in the game to try to offset the Golden Grizzlies scoring attack, which entered play ranked inside the top-10 in the NCAA in points per game at 85.0; however, Oakland received 29 points and 14 assists from junior Kay Felder and a career-high 27 points from Hooper – coming on 9-of-14 shooting from beyond the arc – which ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Senior guard Carrington Love scored a team-high 21 points for the Phoenix in the loss, while Charles Cooper and Khalil Small each chipped in with 18 points. Junior forward Kenneth Lowe had one of his strongest performances of the season to end with 16 points, while fellow teammate Jordan Fouse added 11 points and team highs in rebounds (7), assists (5) and blocks (3).
In what was a highly entertaining game that featured five ties and 11 lead changes, Green Bay entered the locker room with a one-point edge after 20 minutes, 50-49, but the Golden Grizzlies seemingly could not miss after the break, outscoring the Phoenix 62-45 on 19-of-33 from the field, including a perfect 17-of-17 from the line.
Green Bay shot 50.8 percent (33-of-65) from the floor, but Oakland was just that much better, finishing at a season-high 57.1 percent (36-of-63). The Golden Grizzlies' 111 points scored are the most by a Phoenix opponent in program history (prev., 109, vs. Eastern Michigan, Jan. 26, 1971).
While Green Bay was able to hold Felder to just 4-of-12 shooting from the field, the preseason Horizon League Player of the Year was able to make his presence known in multiple ways, either from drawing multiple defenders and kicking out to Hooper, or getting to the free-throw line, where he ended 19-of-22. Oakland forward Jalen Hayes added 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
The game raised over $6,300, which will go to families for kids with cancer and cancer research. There was over $2,000 raised at the game alone and that total was matched by both Prevea Health and Broadway Automotive.
The Phoenix (12-8, 4-3 HL) will have a quick turnaround as it welcomes the Detroit Titans (9-9, 3-4 HL) to the Resch Center on Monday evening. Tip will be at 7 p.m.
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