#HLMBB Roundup: Dec. 30

#HLMBB Roundup: Dec. 30

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Lance Rinker

(Dec. 30, 2017) — The home teams swept Horizon League men’s basketball action on Saturday, with Green Bay, Wright State, Milwaukee, and Northern Kentucky earning victories.
 
All five Green Bay starters scored in double figures, led by sophomore guard Kameron Hankerson’s 19 points, as the Phoenix defeated Oakland, 80-79. The Phoenix (7-8, 2-0 HL) benefited from 52 percent shooting from 3-point range (11-of-21). Hankerson and redshirt senior David Jesperson paced Green Bay with three triples apiece. Oakland’s Kendrick Nunn scored a game-high 33 points in the setback, marking his fourth 30-plus-point outing in the past five games. Green Bay’s one-point victory snapped the Golden Grizzlies’ (9-6, 1-1 HL) three-game winning streak.
 
Wright State limited IUPUI to 35 shooting in a 60-52 victory — the Raiders’ 10th victory in their last 12 contests. The Raiders (10-5, 2-0 HL) were led by seniors Grant Benzinger (16 points) and Justin Mitchell (11 points) in the win. Mitchell also added a game-best 13 rebounds, clinching his third double-double of the season. IUPUI freshman guard, Jaylen Minnett, came off the bench to score a team-high 11 points for the Jaguars (3-10, 0-2 HL).
 
Milwaukee shot a blistering 55 percent from the field in an 87-79 win over Detroit Mercy. Jeremiah Bell and Brock Stull combined to score 35 points for the Panthers (8-7, 1-1 HL) and shot a collective 10-of-17 from the field, including 6-of-12 marksmanship from beyond the arc. Redshirt junior Kameron Chatman paced the Titans (4-11, 0-2 HL) with a game-best 20 points. The result marked Detroit Mercy’s ninth-consecutive setback.
 
Northern Kentucky allowed just one UIC player to reach double figures — Marcus Ottey (15 points) — as the Norse improved to 7-0 at home with a commanding, 86-51 victory. Three Northern Kentucky players reached double figures in the win, including senior Drew McDonald, who notched his fourth-consecutive double-double with a 19-point, 12-rebound performance. Mason Faulkner came off the bench to score 15 points for the Norse (9-5, 2-0 HL), while Lavone Holland II added 12 points. Jordan Blount and Michael Diggins tallied nine points apiece for the Flames (5-10, 0-2 HL).
 
TODAY’S RESULTS (Saturday, Dec. 30)
at Green Bay 80, Oakland 79
at Wright State 60, IUPUI 52
at Milwaukee 87, Detroit Mercy 79
at Northern Kentucky 86, UIC 51
 
All five starters reach double figures as Green Bay takes down Oakland, 80-79
(Courtesy of GreenBayPhoenix.com) — GREEN BAY, Wis. — Senior Khalil Small converted two clutch free throws with four seconds left to help Green Bay upset league-favorite Oakland on Saturday afternoon at the Resch Center, 80-79, starting off Horizon League play with a 2-0 record for the fifth-straight season and third-straight under head coach Linc Darner. With Green Bay leading 78-76 with 4 seconds on the clock, Small grabbed the missed 3-pointer by Jalen Hayes and was subsequently fouled. The team captain then toed the free throw line and buried both free throws, making it a two possession game and essentially securing the win. Nunn hit a 3-pointer as time expired to end the game, finishing with a game-high 33 points, but the shot didn't make a difference.
Full recap

Raiders remain undefeated in league play
(Courtesy of WSURaiders.com) — DAYTON, Ohio — The Wright State men's basketball team remained undefeated in league play with a 60-52 decision over IUPUI at the WSU Nutter Center Saturday night. Senior Grant Benzinger paced the win with 16 points as Justin Mitchell posted his third double-double of the year with 11 points and 13 rebounds. He also became just the 19th player in program history to grab 500 career rebounds.
Full recap

Hot shooting spurs Milwaukee to 87-79 win over Detroit Mercy
Full recap to follow at MKEPanthers.com.

@NKUNorseMBB closes 2017 with an 86-51 win over UIC
(Courtesy of NKUNorse.com) — HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — A monstrous first half on both ends of the floor helped the Northern Kentucky men's basketball team roll past UIC on Saturday evening by a final score of 86-51. The Norse improve to 9-5 overall and 2-0 in the Horizon League. UIC falls to 5-10 and 0-2 in League play.
Full recap
 
UPCOMING SLATE
Sunday, Dec. 31
No games – Happy New Year’s!
Monday, Jan. 1
Cleveland State at Youngstown State (1:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Tuesday, Jan. 2
IUPUI at Green Bay (8:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Wednesday, Jan. 3
No games
Thursday, Jan. 4
Green Bay at Cleveland State (7:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
UIC at IUPUI (7:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Milwaukee at Youngstown State (7:35 PM ET – ESPN3)

MOTOR CITY MADNESS
The 2018 Little Caesars Horizon League Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championship will take place March 2-6 at the brand new Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich. Tickets can be purchased now at campus box offices or at HorizonLeague.com.
 
Little Caesars Arena is located in the heart of The District Detroit, a 50-block, mixed-use development that unites eight world-class theaters, five neighborhoods and three professional sports venues in one vibrant, walkable destination for people who want to live, work and play in an exciting urban environment. Home to the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions — The District Detroit represents the greatest density of professional sports teams in one downtown core in the country.