FORT WAYNE, Ind. - A shorthanded Green Bay men's basketball team traveled to Fort Wayne, Ind. on Sunday to take on Purdue Fort Wayne, but fell 71-55.
The Phoenix (4-18, 3-10) had two players score in double figures, led by Cade Meyer, who finished with 13 points. Emmanuel Ansong added 10 points while Nate Jenkins added eight points and two steals.
The Green Bay defense caused its share of mistakes in Sunday's game, forcing 13 Purdue Fort Wayne turnovers while committing 11 themselves. Those takeaways turned into 13 points on the other end of the floor. Jenkins' two steals led the way individually for the Phoenix.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Green Bay jumped out in front 10-6 in the first five minutes thanks in part to five quick points from Ryan Claflin, who got his first start of the year. The Phoenix extended that lead thanks to a Jenkins three that gave them a 17-12 lead with 10:41 left in the first half. Both teams traded buckets for the next few minutes before PFW finished the half on a 17-8 run in the final 6:38 to grab a 35-31 lead heading into the intermission.
The Mastodons extended their lead to 10 early in the second half after a Jalon Pipkins jumper with 14:02 left. From there, PFW kept the Phoenix at arms length, never letting them get back to within single digits. The hosts were able to close out in the second half thanks to 14-of-24 (58.3-percent) shooting.
GAME NOTES
» The Green Bay defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Green Bay got a team-high six rebounds from
Randy Tucker.
» Jenkins got his second straight start for GB.
» Meyer continues his impressive stretch, scoring in double figures in six of GB's last seven games. He's scored in double figures seven times all year.
» Claflin got his first start of the year and finished with eight points, three assists, and two rebounds in a team-high 35 minutes.
» After going 3-for-6 (50.0-percent) from beyond the arc in the first half, GB couldn't get one to go in the second, going 1-for-9 (11.1-percent).
» PFW was led by 19 points from Jalon Pipkins, who shot 8-for-9 (88.8-percent) on the day.
» The Mastodons shot 56.9-percent from the floor. Green Bay shot 43.1-percent.
» PFW won the rebounding battle, 32-21.
» PFW dominated in the paint, outscoring the Phoenix 50-32 inside.
UP NEXT
The Phoenix will look to get back on track at home this week. They host Wright State at the Resch Center on Wednesday before welcoming Northern Kentucky to the Kress Center on Friday. Following, they'll close the week out with a 1 p.m. showdown with Milwaukee on Sunday, Feb. 13.
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