Phoenix swept in I-43 rivalry

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Photo courtesy of Green Bay Athletics

Milwaukee defended home court, completing a season sweep of the Green Bay Phoenix with a 70-59 victory, barring a potential rematch in the conference tournament this March. The loss marked Green Bay’s unlucky 13th straight defeat, despite an improved effort defensively that kept the game close for much of Saturday afternoon.

Newcomer Yonatan Levy scored Green Bay’s first 6 points, as the Phoenix went toe to toe with the Panthers into the first media timeout.  Milwaukee came out of the break with a pair of makes to build the lead to 10-6 before Preston Ruedinger connected on a 4 point play to tie things up again. Green Bay and Milwaukee traded baskets through much of the 1st half until the Panthers built a small lead after a mini 9-2 run from Erik Pratt and Kentrell Pullian built the advantage to 8 points at 27-19.  Jeremiah Johnson and Levy each scored cut the lead down 5 at 29-24, before the Panthers rattled of another 7-0 to close the half, giving Milwaukee a 36-24 lead at the break. 

Milwaukee would extend the lead to as high as 14 in the second half, following a Pratt jump shot with just over 12 minutes left in regulation.  Slowly but surely, the Phoenix clawed back into the game, locking down the potent Panthers offense, and holding Milwaukee without a field goal over the final 5:51 of the ballgame.  Green Bay trimmed the lead to as close as 5, following an attempt for an And-1 from Preston Ruedinger with 1:31 left in regulation, with the score at 64-59. Rudy was unable to hit the free throw, and unfortunately for Green Bay, Milwaukee would go perfect from the line to close out the Phoenix.  

Statistically, Green Bay was much improved from the first matchup against its I-43 rival, limiting the Panthers to 33 rebounds, and only 6 offensive rebounds, compared to 46 total boards in the first matchup, and 22 offensive rebounds.  A big credit for that goes to Yonatan Levy, who saw his most action since joining the Phoenix, registering 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist in 30 minutes of action.  Levy shared the scoring lead for Green Bay with Marcus Hall at 15, and got another 13 from Mac Wrecke.  

Green Bay will finally return home, looking to end the long losing skid against Robert Morris on Friday night, January 17th at 6pm CT. This marks the Phoenix’s first home game in 2025, and first since December 29th when the game had to be moved from the Resch Center, across town, to the Kress Center on campus. Friday’s game is currently scheduled to be at the Resch.

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