Simply put, it was a rough day for the Green Bay Phoenix men’s basketball team. On the floor, the Phoenix could not break the losing streak, which stands at 8 games now. For some fans, the loss is compounded by the fact that it came to a Division 2 opponent, Michigan Tech. However, the game itself may not be the hardest news from the day.
Green Bay was already entering play without the nation’s second leading scorer in Anthony Roy. After the game, Gottlieb addressed the media, confirming it is a lower leg injury, and that he will be missing the next several games. Gottlieb did add that the team believes Roy will return to the team at some point this season. On top of the Anthony Roy injury, Green Bay did lose point guard and floor general, Preston Ruedinger, early in the second half while he was diving for a loose ball and took contact to the head.
For the game itself, the Phoenix got off to a good start, building up a steady lead that it maintained throughout the half. Jeremiah Johnson was everywhere, easily playing his best game of his young college career. Through the half, Johnson racked up 11 points and seven rebounds. Without Anthony Roy in the lineup, Green Bay did get some big minutes out of both Mac Wrecke, as well Ryan Wade, who appeared in just his fifth game of the season. Through 20 minutes of play, the Phoenix built up a 33-23 lead.
The second half got off to a great start for Green Bay. Marcus Hall scored the opening five points for the Phoenix, building the lead up to 13. While Green Bay has struggled in the middle of the second half all season, things started very well. Ryan Wade made a three with 13:06 left in the game, putting the Phoenix up 12. From there though, Michigan Tech went on a 15-3 run to tie the game and eventually take the lead. Green Bay fought back. Marcus Hall capped of a run that gave the Phoenix a six-point lead with 5 minutes remaining in the game. But as he did all game long, Green Bay native Marcus Tomashek had an answer, splashing a three that wound up putting the Huskies back in the lead for good.
Tomashek led all scorers with 30 points for Michigan Tech in the win, doing most of his damage in the 2nd half, after the Preston Ruedinger injury. Also in double figures for the Huskies, was another Green Bay Area native, Dawson Nordgaard, son of Green Bay Phoenix great Jeff Nordgaard. Dawson had 10 points in the contest.
For Green Bay, Jeremiah Johnson was all over the box score, finishing with his first career double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Marcus Hall had 17 and Mac Wrecke finished with 10. Senior Ryan Wade added 11, while shooting 4-4 from the field and providing some much needed veteran leadership in the absence of Ruedinger.
After the game, Gottlieb addressed the media, and was asked outright if he thought this was “rock bottom.” He paused before answering, before saying that while he thinks the term discredits the opponent that they played, giving plenty of credit to Tomashek and the talented Huskies squad. He ultimately continued, saying that he hopes it is, and that learning to win, especially after losing key guys, is tough, but ultimately has a lot of faith in the guys in his locker room. He added that no one is going to feel bad for him or the guys playing for him, but again reiterated that he and the guys on this team are built to weather the storm. You can see the full press conference below.
The road doesn’t get any easier for the Phoenix. Green Bay will travel to Drake for a Saturday evening contest to wrap up nonconference play, against the 10-0 Bulldogs, who are fresh off a win against Kansas State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5pm CT.
