MADISON, Wis. - The Green Bay men's basketball team found themselves in a defensive battle Tuesday night at the Kohl Center against the Wisconsin Badgers. The Phoenix outscored the Badgers 32-24 in the second half but ultimately fell 56-45.

Zae Blake led the Phoenix (0-3) with 15 points and four steals, while Cade Meyer added 13 points and three rebounds.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well, with Green Bay's defense holding Wisconsin to just 30.2-percent shooting from the field. Green Bay 34.1-percent from the floor and 14.3-percent from three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both defenses came to play in the first half, with the Phoenix shooting just 20.8-percent to the Badgers 29.4-percent. Wisconsin got out to 15-11 before they went on an 11-0 run in three minutes to grab a commanding 26-11 lead with 4:08 left in the half. Wisconsin expanded on that lead to go into halftime with a 32-15 advantage.

Green Bay clawed back into the game almost immediately at the start of the second half, thanks in large part to eight points from Meyer. In the first seven minutes of the half, the Phoenix outscored the Badgers 14-3 to bring the game to within six at 35-29. The two teams went basket-for-basket and GB was still within six with five minutes remaining, but the hosts pulled away for the 56-45 victory.

GAME NOTES

» Blake, Meyer, and Cummings III combined to account for 76 percent of the Phoenix points.
» Blake has now scored in double-figures off the bench in back-to-back games, and leads GB at 12.3 points per game.
» The Green Bay defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Green Bay struggled from the free throw line, finishing the game 13-of-23 from the charity stripe.
» Green Bay got a team-high five rebounds from Davin Zeigler.

COMING UP
The Phoenix is headed to the sandy beaches of Montego Bay this weekend for the Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic. GB will start the tournament by taking on Queens Friday before taking on one of Utah Valley or Morgan State on Sunday.

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