The margin for error proved slim all night long for the Green Bay Phoenix after they survived their matchup against the Montana State Bobcats 54-53.
Down by one point at halftime, the Phoenix outscored the Bobcats by a single tally in the second half and overtime to secure the program's first road non-conference win since the Linc Darner era. It did not look like it would be close after the Phoenix went on a 12-0 run at the beginning of the second half to give them a double-digit near the period's halfway point. Dueling fates at the free throw line allowed the Bobcats to claw back into the game, with the Phoenix shooting 50 percent from the line compared to 85 percent for the home team. A missed runner at the expiration of overtime was the difference between a win and a loss for the Phoenix, led by Noah Reynolds' 19 points. Amari Jedkins recorded seven points and nine rebounds, while Preston Ruedinger added nine points and six rebounds. The Bobcats were led by Robert Ford III, who registered 26 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
The Phoenix will play in Bozeman again on Tuesday to face UC Riverside on a neutral court at 8 p.m. The Highlanders have dropped three straight games since an opening night victory against UC-Merced. They have also faced tough opponents since then with losses to Utah and North Carolina among the defeats.
