The Oakland University men’s basketball team (11-19, 6-9 Horizon) were unable to hold a 15-point lead entering the second half against the Green Bay Phoenix (23-5, 13-2) on Senior Day, eventually losing 71-63.

The win clinches the Horizon League regular season title for Green Bay after a tenacious defensive effort that evaporated their deficit, holding the Golden Grizzlies to a mere 19 points in the second half.

On a night where Oakland’s senior class was honored, star senior guard Travis Bader was unable to do anything on the floor all game. Bader shot just 1-of-11 from the field, 1-of-9 from 3-point range, tallying just six points.

Oakland senior guard Duke Mondy had three 3-pointers and junior center Corey Petros totaled 12 points and five rebounds, with a proficient shooting display in the first half allowing OU to seize a 13-point lead.

Oakland executed beautifully in the first half, going 17-of-30 (57 percent) from the field, but were unable to sustain the same magic for the last 20 minutes.

Mondy’s eight turnovers marked a season-high. OU senior forward Joey Asbury tied a career-high six points in his 14 minutes, the most points he had scored since his game against Albion on Nov. 9, 2012.

Leading 44-31 at the half, the Grizzlies seemed powerless when facing the defensive pressure and offensive efficiency that Green Bay exhibited in the second half. Green Bay shot 17-of-26 (65 percent) from the field, scoring 21 points off turnovers.

Oakland was ineffective beyond the arc, going 1-of-12 in the second half and shooting just 8-of-24 (33 percent) from the field.

“It was a tale of our team, we were so good in the first half and we can’t play 40 minutes,” OU head coach Greg Kampe said.

Green Bay’s Keifer Sykes, averaging 20 points on the season, was held in check with only five points in the first half, but his resurgence beside teammates Alec Brown and Jordan Fouse allowed the Phoenix to fight back.

Keifer Sykes scored 10 points and five assists and Alec Brown shot 4-of-7 from 3-point range for the Phoenix. Jordan Fouse drained all eight of his shots, scoring 16 points in addition to grabbing nine rebounds as Green Bay mounted their comeback.

Tevin Findlay’s alley-oop to Alonzo McKinnie tied the game at 54 with 11:34 completed the comeback, and once Sykes took the lead with a layup with 10:27 remaining, Oakland never led again.

“We just imploded, lost confidence and threw the ball away,” Kampe said. “Guys are wide open and they’re fumbling the ball out of bounds, it was kind of what our season was all about.”

“We had a chance to beat the league champions, win on senior night, to secure a home game for the tournament. It’s very disappointing,” Kampe said.

OU will play their final regular season game on the road against conference opponent Youngstown State on March 1.