Badgers and Phoenix add another chapter to rivalry

Nov 16, 2013 - 3:54 PM Green Bay, WI (SportsNetwork.com) - Fresh off a victory over a fellow ranked foe, No. 20 Wisconsin heads to Green Bay to battle the Phoenix in the team's first official road game of the 2013-14 campaign.

Wisconsin already has a pair of victories over opponents from the so-called power conferences, as it took down St. John's (86-75) on a neutral court to open the season, and then bested No. 11 Florida at home on Tuesday night, 59-53. Following this clash with their in-state rivals, the Badgers will return to Madison for three straight, as it continues to prep for what will be another challenging Big Ten Conference schedule.

Green Bay is 1-0 after knocking off Northern Michigan at home last Saturday, 71-49. The Phoenix call the Horizon League home, and this the first of two games the team will play against current members of the Top-25, as Virginia comes to town on Dec. 7. UWGB will kick off conference play against visiting Cleveland State on Jan. 2, 2014.

Wisconsin has dominated Green Bay over the years, winning 18 of the previous 19 matchups. The Badgers won in Madison last year, 65-54.

Sam Dekker scored 16 points, Traevon Jackson added 13 and Ben Brust hit for 11, as the Badgers outlasted visiting Florida earlier this week. Wisconsin shot 43.8 percent from the field, and used nine 3-pointers to keep the Gators on their heels. Florida made good on only 40.4 percent of its total shots, missing 11 of its 14 long-range tries along the way. UW committed an uncharacteristic 14 turnovers, but won the rebounding battle 31-28. Brust and Jackson combined for 16 caroms from their spots in the backcourt.

Dekker (16.0 ppg), Jackson (13.0 ppg) and Brust (13.0 ppg) are all averaging double figures for the Badgers, who are converting 46.5 percent of their 3- point attempts (20-of-43). Josh Gasser (9.5 ppg) and Duje Dukan (9.0 ppg) are also close to joining the double-digit scoring parade.

Rutgers transfer Vince Garrett scored a team-high 15 points in his debut for Green Bay against Northern Michigan, helping lead to 71-49 victory for the home team. Three others tallied 10 points in the win, while Jordan Fouse led the rebounding effort with 10 boards. The Phoenix shot 43.9 percent from the floor, but struggled at the free-throw line in converting a mere 15-of-29 attempts. They played stellar defense in holding the Wildcats to 30.5 percent field goal efficiency and forcing 16 turnovers. Northern Michigan also struggled from long range (6-of-22).