Doug Gottlieb was able to collect his first NCAA coaching win on Wednesday night as his Green Bay Phoenix took down the Western Illinois Leathernecks 87-73.
In the back end of a home and home, the Phoenix were able to avenge last season’s loss to the Leathernecks in dominating fashion. Both teams got off to a slow start as neither team could find the bottom of the basket for the first 2 minutes of play before a barrage of Phoenix threes rained in, to give Green Bay a 13-7 lead into the first media timeout. The Phoenix were able to continue building on the lead and went into the half up 47-26. Anthony Roy led Green Bay with 15 in the 1st 20 minutes.
The 2nd half was more of the same. The Phoenix were able to extend the lead to a game high 23 before Western Illinois was able to bring the game to a 13 point deficit with 9:19 remaining in play. Green Bay promptly answered with another Roy three-point make, and kept a comfortable lead for the remainder of the contest.
Roy led all scorers with 35 points, and was joined in double figures by Jeremiah Johnson and Foster Wonders, who finished with 15 and 11 points, respectively. Ryan Myers led the way for the Leathernecks with 26 points in the loss.
The Phoenix remain on the road for their next game, traveling to Big East Conference foe, the Providence Friars on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 4pm CT on a nationally broadcasted game.
