ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – Green Bay men's basketball dropped its first of three games in the Paradise Jam, losing to Yale 73-67 Friday afternoon. Marcus Hall collected a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds. C.J. O'Hara had 15 points, three rebounds, and one steal. Preston Ruedinger also helped out with 10 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed with the loss," said head coach Doug Gottlieb. "But I'm very proud of our group fighting back from down 15 to be down two with 29 seconds to go. We out-rebounded Yale on the offensive glass (12-8), we turned it over less (8 to their 9), but missed FTs and layups against a terrific Yale team bit us. We keep getting closer, but we have to learn to close these games."

Gottlieb added, "Marcus Hall is questionable for tomorrow with a lower leg injury."

Nick Townsend led Yale with 13 points and four assists. The Bulldogs had three other players score in double figures: Riley Fox (11), Casey Simmons (11), and Samson Aletan (10).

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Phoenix trailed 22-15 with 8:33 to go in the first half before a 7-2 run with 6:59 left in the first half, narrowing the Bulldogs' lead to three. Yale answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Phoenix down 39-30 entering halftime.

Yale held that lead to start the second half and widened it to 65-50 after a Jordan Brathwaite three with 6:33 remaining in the game. Green Bay then responded with a 9-0 run, capped off by a Hall three to shrink the deficit to 65-59 with 4:19 to go in the contest. The Phoenix then cut the lead to two after a pair of O'Hara free throws with 29 seconds left, but was unfortunately unable to take the lead from Yale late, falling 73-67.

GAME NOTES
» Green Bay slightly outrebounded Yale 32-31, including 12-8 on the offensive boards.
» Yale shot an efficient 51.0-percent from the field while Green Bay shot 40.0-percent.
» The Phoenix won the turnover battle, having eight as a team, compared to the Bulldogs' nine.
» Yale outscored GB in the paint, 28-24.

COMING UP
Green Bay will play UMass tomorrow at 2 p.m. CST. They'll play again on Monday, opponent TBD.

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