Jan. 26, 2008

Final Stats

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay men's basketball team (11-8, 5-4) used another strong defensive effort to secure a 66-58 win over Youngstown State (7-13, 3-7) Saturday afternoon in Horizon League action at the Resch Center.

Green Bay has become accustomed to playing close games, as each of the last six games has been decided by 10 points or less. Neither team had a lead of double digits in the contest. The Phoenix ultimately used free throws down the stretch to expand its margin of victory.

After a back-and-forth game in the early going, Youngstown State used a 16-7 run over a six-minute span in the first half to take a nine-point lead with just 1:39 remaining. However, the Phoenix was able to make a 7-0 flurry to close the half, capped by a Uriel Segura running 3-pointer at the buzzer. That proved to be a turning point in the contest.

The Penguins, who entered the game last in the league in free throw percentage (63.9), shot 12-for-12 from the free throw line in the half to propel them to a 33-31 halftime lead.

Green Bay carried its momentum into the second half by starting on a 10-2 run. During that time, the Phoenix took its first advantage since the 10:00 mark of the first half. Once on top, Green Bay never relinquished the lead.

The game was stalled when both teams went on a nearly four-minute scoring drought that was halted when junior forward Cordero Barkley converted on a fast-break lay-up with just over three minutes remaining.

The Penguins were led in scoring by Vytas Sulskis who had 19 points, while Byron Davis added 16. John Barber, Youngstown State's leading scorer in conference play, who averages 16.3 points per game, had only two points on 1-of-12 shooting.

Youngstown State shot just 19-of-50 (38 percent) from the field, which continued the trend Green Bay's opponents have had of late. Over the past five home games, opponents have shot just 34.8 percent (98-of-281).

Ryan Tillema led the Phoenix in scoring with 14 points and hauled down six rebounds. Mike Schachtner, who had nine rebounds, and freshman point guard Rahmon Fletcher both had 11 points on the day. Three other Phoenix players had at least seven points.

Green Bay is next in action Thursday, Jan. 31 when the team travels to Wright State to take on the Raiders.

--www.uwgbathletics.com--