by GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) — Just three days after upsetting league-favorite Oakland, Green Bay was faced with a quick turnaround and fell 67-63 to IUPUI at the Resch Center on Tuesday night. The Phoenix (7-9, 2-1 HL) shot just 1-for-17 from 3-point range against the visiting Jaguars (4-10, 1-2 HL), its worst shooting effort from long range in any game this season.
Playing its third game in only six days, Green Bay was able to open up a 16-8 lead early on, but turnovers and poor shooting eventually allowed IUPUI to close the half on an 8-1 run. The two teams entered the half tied at 33-33, with GB going 0-for-9 from long range in the first 20 minutes. The team had made 22 3s combined in its last two games against Detroit Mercy and Oakland.
Sandy Cohen III (Oneida Tribe) converted a layup with 13:27 left in the game to cut the GB deficit to 46-44, but the Phoenix was unable to make another field goal until the 1:04 mark. GB went 0-for-9 during that cold span but was able to take advantage at the free throw line, making 11 free throws as IUPUI continued to rack up the fouls.
GB made the game interesting late, scoring quick and taking advantage of poor free throw shooting by the Jags. After PJ Pipes scored with 10 seconds left to cut the IUPUI lead to 65-63, GB turned the pressure up. IUPUI was able to throw the ball over the pressuring Phoenix defense however, and into an easy fast break layup, securing the four-point road victory.
Khalil Small led all scorers in the game with 18 points and five rebounds, his 16th game this season in double-figures. Small accounted for 3 of Green Bay’s 12 steals, tied for its most in against a Division I opponent this year. Small is now just 11 points away from 1,000 career points.
Cohen III finished in double-figures once again with 14 points, as did Pipes with 15 points. Cohen III has now scored 10 or more points in all five games he’s played, while Pipes registered his seventh-straight double-figure scoring effort.
IUPUI grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, the most GB has allowed in a game since its win over Florida A&M this season. GB also had its first negative assist-to-turnover ratio in Horizon League play, recording 15 turnovers to just 13 assists.
Green Bay continues its grueling early league schedule, hitting the road for games this week at Cleveland State (Jan. 4) and at Youngstown State (Jan. 6). Tip-off against the Vikings will take place at 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET and can be watched on Spectrum Sports Channel.
