MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. --- Opening the season as scheduled was always the ultimate goal for head coach Will Ryan and the Green Bay men's basketball team, and they safely did so on Wednesday night at Minnesota. The Golden Gophers (1-0) ultimately won the game 99-69, but the visiting Phoenix (0-1) came within 10 at 70-60 with under 8 minutes left in the game at Williams Arena.

After clearing all of its COVID-19 testing protocols, GB tipped off the first of five scheduled nonconference games leading into Horizon League play on December 19. Ryan and the Phoenix will face another B10 team in its next game on Tuesday (Dec. 1), a familiar foe for both in the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center.

The season-opener was all Minnesota early, opening up a 12-0 lead until Japannah Kellogg III scored the first points of the 2020-21 season at the free throw line. GB went on to shot just 25 percent in the first half, with Minnesota connecting on almost half of its shots to take a 53-28 lead into the break. GB wasn't going down without a fight, and the Phoenix showed guts in the second half outscoring the Gophers 47-46 in the final 20 minutes.

Reigning Freshman of the Year Amari Davis picked up where he left off last season, pouring in a team-high 17 points, making 7 of 8 free throw attempts. Davis was key in a pair of runs by the Phoenix, a 9-2 and a 12-2 run at points in the second half to climb back into the game. He helped GB shoot 44.7 percent (17-38) in the second half, a positive sign moving forward. This marked the first live action either team has had against another team.

Three other players finished in double-figures for GB, including backcourt starters Josh Jefferson (14 pts) and PJ Pipes (13 pts). Starting forward Paris Taylor added 10 points and led the team with seven rebounds. Jefferson and Taylor were making their debuts for the Phoenix, while Pipes is the most experience player on the roster.

Minnesota pulled away late in the game, as both teams went deep into the bench. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, with GB going 3-for-16 and Minnesota finishing 7-for-34.

Marcus Carr led the Golden Gophers with 35 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 12-for-22 from the field and making all seven of his free throws.

Eight other Phoenix players made their first-ever collegiate appearance.



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