The meteoric rise from the ashes for the Green Bay Phoenix has taken them from the very bottom of college basketball a year ago to the top of the Horizon League halfway through this season. GB knocked off Oakland University 69-59 at the Resch Center Thursday night, in front of the largest crowd in five years (3,513) to move into sole possession of first place in the conference. A year ago, Green Bay won all of three games to finish 362nd among 362 college teams in RPI. Led by first year Head Coach Sundance Wicks and a near complete roster overhaul, the Phoenix are 8-3 in Horizon play, 13-9 overall. Green Bay avenged an earlier season loss (79-73) to the Golden Grizzlies back on January 6 by putting on finishing kick for the energized home crowd. The game was tight throughout until the Phoenix erupted on an 11-0 run to break a 50-50 tie in the final five minutes. Foster Wonders led the way with 19 points including hitting five of six three point shots. Rich Byhre added 14 hitting all four of his three point shots and Will Eames pitched in for starter Elijah Jones who was down with food poisoning, to score 14 points as well. GB has a half game lead on Oakland and Youngstown State, both 7-3 in conference play. The Penguins defeated IUPUI 78-50 Thursday night. The Phoenix will host Detroit Mercy Saturday afternoon at 12:00 PM at the Resch. The Titans arrive after falling to Milwaukee Thursday night 87-71, bringing an 0-21 record into the contest.
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