Keifer Sykes
The Green Bay Phoenix took a 39-31 lead over Valparaiso with 11:43 to play in the Horizon League Championship game. Things went cold from there.
Green Bay made just 1 of 14 shots from the field to end the game and fell to the Crusaders 54-44.
Green Bay (24-8) was playing in the championship game of the conference tournament for the first time in 17 years. But this was a winner take all game. The winner would get the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and the loser will have to settle for something less. Green Bay’s NCAA Tournament dry spell will now reach 19 years.
Keifer Sykes scored 14 points, but no other Green Bay player would reach double figures as the Phoenix fell to 0-6 over the last four seasons in games played at Valparaiso.