Phoenix finishes strong

With March creeping closer, college basketball games become increasingly important as teams jockey in the conference standings.

UW-Green Bay won a key Horizon League game on Saturday night by holding off UW-Milwaukee, 94-90, in a wild game at UWM Panther Arena.

The Phoenix (13-14, 8-6 Horizon) earned a split of the season series against the Panthers (12-14, 7-7). Green Bay also stayed in the top half of the conference and remained in line to host a first-round game of the Horizon tournament next month.

The first half was played at a breakneck pace and the Phoenix went into the locker room with a 52-46 lead after freshman guard Amari Davis hit a tough runner at the buzzer.

The Panthers ran into foul trouble early in the first half, with Green Bay hitting the double-bonus at the 8:54 mark. The Phoenix shot 15 for 17 on free throws in the first 20 minutes.

Green Bay took its biggest lead in the first half at 24-15 after a 7-0 run.

UWM was able to stay in the game on the strength of its three-point shooting, going 8 for 19 from beyond the arc in the first half.

Panthers senior wing DeAndre Abram was a tough matchup with his 6-foot-8 frame and shooting ability. He had 17 points on 5-for-12 shooting. Junior guard Te'Jon Lucas added 10 points for UWM in the first half.

Davis (16 points), senior guard JayQuan McCloud (15) and senior guard Kameron Hankerson (10) combined for 41 of the Phoenix's 52 points in the first half.

In the second half, Green Bay got within 79-78 on a fast-break layup from Davis. Abram had an answer for UWM with a big three-pointer. The final minute was frantic. The Phoenix grabbed the lead at 89-88 on a put-back from Josh McNair with 47 seconds left. Lucas then hit two free throws 8 seconds later. After several missed chances for Green Bay around the basket, Hankerson nailed a short jumper to give the Phoenix a 91-90 lead with 19 seconds left.

Lucas then had turnovers on UWM's next two possessions. Hankerson hit two free throws to seal the victory with four seconds left.

Davis led Green Bay with 28 points. Lucas and Darius Roy had 20 apiece for UWM.