It’s over. It’s finally over. The Green Bay Phoenix’s 21 game losing streak finally come to an end, as Green Bay took down Wright State on Sunday afternoon 79-68.
Wright State got off to a great start, frustrating the Green Bay offense and holding them without a field goal until nearly 5 minutes into the half. Foster Wonders’ basket closed the Phoenix deficit to 6-4. The Raiders proceeded to go on a 9-0 run to build the lead to double digits at 15-4. Coach Doug Gottlieb got called for a technical foul, but it was the spark the Phoenix needed. Marcus Hall hit a jumper, then Ben Tweedy erupted. Tweedy scored 9 straight for Green Bay, tying the game at 15-15.
Roee Oselka gave the Phoenix a brief lead, before Drey Carter slammed home a dunk to put the advantage back to Wright State. Green Bay had an immediate answer though, as Ryan Wade hit a quick trigger 3 ball to put the Phoenix back in front. Tweedy and C.J. O’Hara continued the offensive onslaught, building the lead up as high as 8 points.
Green Bay had an answer for each Raiders rally, as Wright State shrunk the deficit to 3, just to see Preston Ruedinger to splash a deep ball. As the half neared, Solomon Callaghan hit a 3 with 0:07, making it a one score. Then just as he did all half long, Ben Tweedy had an answer. Tweedy threw a half court heave, getting fouled on the shot, and hit all 3 free throws to give Green Bay a 37-31 lead to go into the locker room.
Tweedy remained the hot hand coming out of the break, earning and converting back to back And 1’s, building the lead up to 12 points. The teams exchanged baskets in the early part of the half, until the Raiders stormed back into the game. A number of small scoring runs, brought Wright State back into the game. Brandon Noel hit a 3 with 9:15 left in regulation, bringing the game back to a single possession at 52-50.
Ruedinger and Hall splashed back to back triples to right the ship for the Phoenix. Ryan Wade was able to make back to back 3s, answering baskets from the Raiders to extend the lead back to double digits. Hall hit a 3 from the corner, bring the Kress Center crowd to its feet, but, as the whole building expected a timeout to be called, Wright State ran out in transition to score a layup and then call the timeout. Out of the timeout, the Phoenix drew up a deep pass to Wade on the inbounds pass, who found O’Hara for a monstrous dunk. Green Bay continued hitting free throws down the stretch of the game, sealing the win on their home court.
Tweedy’s career high of 27 points led all scorers Sunday afternoon. Green Bay also got double digit scoring totals from Hall with 15 points, Ruedinger with 14, and Wade’s 11 point effort. Wright State’s Callaghan led the Raiders with 21 points.
Green Bay will look to make it two in a row next Friday, when they travel to Moon Township for the back half of the Robert Morris season series. Tipoff is set for 6pm CT.
