DETROIT, Mich. – The Green Bay men's basketball team is out to their best Horizon League start since the 2016-17 season after a 69-51 win over Detroit Mercy moved the Phoenix to 4-1 in HL play. Through five games, GB sits second in the Horizon League at 4-1, with their lone loss coming to first-place PFW on the road, who is 4-0 in league play this year.
The Phoenix (9-7, 4-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Foster Wonders, who finished with a career-high 14 points. Preston Ruedinger tacked on 11 points, and Will Eames added five points, 14 rebounds and two steals.
Green Bay's defense held Detroit Mercy to only 32.7 percent shooting from the field, including 26.1 percent from beyond the arc. On the other hand, Green Bay shot 49.1 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from deep.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Phoenix and Titans traded baskets for the first 16 minutes of the half, with neither team leading by more than four points. However, the final four minutes of the half belonged to Wonders and the Phoenix. With a 22-21 Phoenix lead, Wonders hit four threes to lead a 12-2 run to give GB a 34-23 lead heading into the break. Green Bay shot 48.3 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from three in the half.
Green Bay extended their halftime lead immediately, starting the half on a 10-0 run, finished off by Rich Byhre's three, to grow the lead to 44-23 with 17:11 left in the game. The Titans narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Phoenix still cruised during the second half for the 69-51 win.
GAME NOTES
» Green Bay knocked down 10 threes for the fifth time this season and for the third time in the last five games.
» GB never trailed Thursday night.
» The Green Bay was big, scoring 43 of GB's 69 points.
» Green Bay had a 45-23 edge on the boards.
» The last time Green Bay won four games in a row was the end of the 2018-19 season.
COMING UP
Green Bay will look to extend their win streak to five on Saturday when they take on Oakland at 2 p.m. at the O'Rena. The Phoenix will then travel to IUPUI for an 11 a.m. matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
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