The Green Bay Phoenix (22-13) fought off foul trouble and fatigue with a valiant effort, but ultimately dropped a double-overtime decision, 68-62, at Saint Louis (22-11) Monday night in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational. Green Bay was 2-0 in extra-time games on the year and had won five of its previous six overtime contests.
For awhile in the second half, it looked like Green Bay would advance. Trailing 27-25 at intermission, the Phoenix scored the first 13 points out of the break. Saint Louis was scoreless for the first 6 ½ minutes as Green Bay built an 11-point lead (38-27).
The Phoenix still enjoyed a 47-39 edge with just under five minutes to play but couldn't hold off the home team. With Green Bay up two with less than a half-minute left in regulation, Saint Louis forced overtime after picking up a steal and scoring a layup on the other end. Rahmon Fletcher missed a jumper as time expired for the Phoenix.
The first overtime was a defensive struggle as the two teams scored just three points apiece. SLU had the final crack, but Kyle Cassity missed a 3-pointer with two ticks left.
SLU tallied the first four points in the second extra frame and Green Bay was unable to ever regain the advantage. A Willie Reed (21 points, 10 rebounds) dunk with 1:55 left gave the Billikens the lead for good.
In his final game, Troy Cotton posted a team-high 17 points, while playing a career-high 48 minutes. Missouri natives Fletcher (16 points) and Rian Pearson (14 points) also reached double figures.
Green Bay shot less than 36 percent from the floor after going just 2 of 9 in overtime.
The Phoenix ends its season with its second straight 22-win season.
Story courtesy of Green Bay Sports Information
