  |
Green Bay Takes Down League-Leader Cleveland State, 59-50
Jan. 24, 2008 GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay men's basketball team (10-8, 4-4) held Cleveland State (14-6, 7-1) without a field goal for the final six minutes and hung on for the 59-50 win Thursday night at the Resch Center. The Phoenix defense came up big in the victory, holding the first-place Vikings to 17-of-60 (28.3 percent) from the field, the team's best defensive showing of the year. The game was also memorable for a few Phoenix players. Junior forward Terry Evans tied a career high in points with 16, including 12 in the second half, to go along with eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Senior forward Tevah Morris posted the second double-figure scoring game of his career with 11. Despite being held to a season-low five points, junior forward Mike Schachtner set a career high in rebounds with 10, which included a pair of huge boards with the game on the line. Freshman guard Rahmon Fletcher kept the defensive theme going by setting his personal best in steals (4), and he also added 11 points. Green Bay had a tough first half, turning the ball over 10 times, and converting on only seven of its 26 shots (25.8 percent). Schachtner, Green Bay's leading scorer at 18.2 points per game, was held to just two points on 1-for-4 shooting. The Vikings, who were undefeated in the Horizon League, had just much trouble with the Phoenix defense. Green Bay held the Vikings scoreless for four minutes midway through the first half, as the Phoenix went on a 7-0 run. However, Cleveland State countered with a key 9-2 run of its own over a four-minute stretch late in the stanza to propel the Vikings to a 24-19 halftime lead. In the second half, offense was still at a premium. The Phoenix was able to charge to a 31-30 lead with 12:25 behind an 8-0 spurt that was fueled by Evans' aggressive play. Green Bay benefitted from being in the double bonus with over six minutes left, converting 18 of 23 free throws in the second half, and shooting 5 of 6 from the line in the last minute. Schachtner put the game away for good when he got three the old-fashioned way, converting on a lay-up with 54.5 seconds remaining and then drilling the free throw. In the final minute, Green Bay outscored Cleveland State 8-1. Cleveland State was led by junior guard Cedric Jackson, who had 19 points and seven rebounds. Jackson was the only Viking who scored in double figures. It was the fifth straight victory over the Vikings and the 10th in the last 11 meetings for the Phoenix. Green Bay improved to 7-1 at home on the year, and also snapped a three-game losing streak. Green Bay is back in action at home Saturday at 1:05 p.m. when it takes on Horizon League foe Youngstown State. --www.uwgbathletics.com-- |
