GREEN BAY, Wis. (Interstat) — Justin Allen scored 21 points to lead Green Bay to a 79-76 victory over Milwaukee in a Horizon League men’s basketball game Monday night at Resch Center. The Phoenix improved to 8-7 overall. Green Bay led 46-32 at halftime but had to withstand a second-half rally from the Panthers, who outscored the Phoenix 44-33 after the break. Danilo Jovanovich led Milwaukee with 19 points. CJ O’Hara added 19 points for Green Bay. The attendance was 1,864. Milwaukee fell to 7-9 with the loss.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (Interstat) — In a Horizon League clash defined by a blistering start and a frantic finish, Green Bay survived a furious second-half rally from Milwaukee to escape with a 79-76 victory on Monday night at the Resch Center. The Phoenix, improving to 8-7 overall, appeared to be running away with the game after a dominant first half, taking a 46-32 lead into the break. They shot a scorching 62.1% from the field in the opening period, led by Justin Allen’s 13 points and CJ O’Hara’s 11, while building their advantage as large as 14 points. Milwaukee, meanwhile, struggled to find consistency, shooting just 40% in the half and committing seven turnovers. The second half, however, told a completely different story. The Panthers, now 7-9, came out of the locker room with renewed purpose, opening the period on a stunning 17-4 run to cut the deficit to a single point, 50-49, with just over 15 minutes to play. The surge was fueled by Danilo Jovanovich, who scored 13 of his team-high 19 points after halftime, and a defensive effort that held the Phoenix to 33 second-half points on 33.3% shooting. From there, the game evolved into a tense, back-and-forth affair with nine lead changes and five ties in the final 15 minutes. Neither team led by more than five points the rest of the way. Green Bay’s offense, so fluid in the first half, became reliant on getting to the free-throw line, attempting 20 of their 29 foul shots after halftime. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 25 seconds. With Green Bay clinging to a 74-72 lead, Milwaukee’s Jovanovich drove and converted a tough layup while being fouled by Caden Wilkins. He completed the three-point play at the line to put the Panthers ahead 75-74 with 25 seconds remaining. Green Bay immediately inbounded and called a timeout. Out of the break, Marcus Hall was fouled by Chandler Jackson and calmly sank both free throws to restore a one-point Phoenix lead with 22 seconds left. Milwaukee called its own timeout to set up a potential game-winner. The Panthers worked the ball to Isaiah Dorceus, but his driving attempt was cut off. He kicked it out to Esyah Pippa-White, whose three-point attempt from the wing was off the mark. Green Bay’s LeBron Thomas secured the defensive rebound and was fouled with four seconds left. Thomas, a 6-foot-3 guard from Bishopville, South Carolina, sank both free throws to extend the lead to 78-75. Milwaukee had one final chance, inbounding from half-court. The inbounds pass found Dorceus, who was fouled by Preston Ruedinger on a three-point attempt with just one second on the clock. Dorceus made the first free throw to make it 78-76 but intentionally missed the second. The carom went out of bounds off Green Bay, giving the Panthers a last-gasp opportunity with 0.8 seconds left. Their desperation inbound lob was tipped away, and time expired. Allen led all scorers with 21 points for Green Bay, while O’Hara added 19. The Phoenix won despite attempting only nine three-pointers, making three, and recording just four assists as a team. They compensated with efficient interior scoring, converting 28 of 45 two-point attempts, and by winning the battle at the charity stripe, outscoring Milwaukee 20-12 on free throws. Jovanovich’s 19 points paced Milwaukee, with Dorceus adding 14 and four assists. The Panthers shot a respectable 50% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range but were ultimately undone by 10 turnovers and Green Bay’s superior efficiency, as the Phoenix posted an offensive rating of 125.8 points per 100 possessions compared to Milwaukee’s 116.8. The game, attended by 1,864 fans, was a tale of two halves. Green Bay’s early explosion provided just enough cushion to withstand Milwaukee’s determined comeback, allowing the Phoenix to even the season series and move above .500 in conference play. The Panthers, who were installed as a slight pregame favorite, have now lost three of their last four games, each by six points or fewer. Both teams continue Horizon League play on Friday. Green Bay hosts IU Indy, while Milwaukee returns home to face Northern Kentucky.

Horizon League Foes Meet as Green Bay Hosts Milwaukee ASHLWAUBENON, Wis. (Interstat) — The Milwaukee Panthers and Green Bay Phoenix, both seeking momentum in Horizon League play, will meet Monday night at the Resch Center. The in-state rivals enter with identical 7-8 overall records, though Green Bay sits at .500 (7-7). Both teams are coming off road results on New Year’s Day, with Green Bay securing a 72-54 victory at Purdue Fort Wayne and Milwaukee falling 76-70 at Wright State. Milwaukee will lean on forward Danilo Jovanovich, who is coming off a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to Wright State. Over his last seven games, Jovanovich has averaged 13.9 points and 7.1 rebounds, including an 18-point, 9-rebound, 5-assist performance in a win at Cleveland State on Dec. 21. Green Bay counters with guard Justin Allen, who led the Phoenix with 21 points in their win over Purdue Fort Wayne. Allen’s scoring has been variable, but he provides a key perimeter threat for a Phoenix team that has shown resilience at home, including a notable early-season overtime loss at Minnesota. The Panthers have struggled on the road this season, with all eight losses coming away from home, including recent defeats at Wisconsin and Wright State. Green Bay has been inconsistent but capable, following a 102-79 loss at Campbell with its convincing league win last time out. This matchup opens a critical January stretch for both teams. Milwaukee’s next game is Friday at home against Northern Kentucky, while Green Bay hosts IU Indy on Friday. Monday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. CST at the Resch Center.