CORAPOLIS, Pa. (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive-minded clash that defied pregame expectations, the Green Bay Phoenix exacted a measure of revenge Saturday, edging the Robert Morris Colonials 71-67 in a Horizon League men’s basketball contest at Charles L. Sewall Center.

The victory snapped a two-game skid for Green Bay and avenged a two-point home loss to the Colonials just over seven weeks prior. More strikingly, it came as a significant upset, with statistical models heavily favoring Robert Morris and the Colonials installed as a 6.5-point favorite. The combined point total of 138 fell well short of the pregame over/under of 147.5, underscoring a game defined more by stops than streaks.

Green Bay improved to 12-9 overall, while Robert Morris fell to 13-9.

The game’s pivotal sequence unfolded in the final minute, transforming a tense affair into a chaotic finish. Holding a 64-60 lead with under 35 seconds to play, Green Bay appeared in control. Robert Morris’s Ryan Prather, however, drained a deep 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining, slicing the deficit to a single point and igniting the home crowd of 1,487.

On the ensuing inbound play, Colonial guard Albert Vargas was called for a foul, sending Green Bay’s Justin Allen to the line. The Mount Kisco, N.Y., native, who led the Phoenix with a versatile stat line of 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes, calmly sank both free throws to push the lead back to 66-63.

Robert Morris raced downcourt, and after a timeout, executed a play to find DeSean Goode, their standout forward, for another potential game-tying three. Goode’s shot from the wing was true, knotting the score at 66-66 with just nine seconds showing on the clock.

The Phoenix, without a timeout, advanced the ball quickly. Marcus Hall drove into the lane and was fouled by Goode with 4.8 seconds left. Hall, a 6-foot-6 guard from Schofield, Wis., missed the first free throw but made the second, giving Green Bay a precarious 67-66 lead.

Needing only to inbound the ball safely to seal the win, Green Bay’s pressure defense created the decisive turnover. Vargas’s pass was deflected and stolen by Green Bay’s CJ O’Hara near midcourt. O’Hara was immediately fouled and sent to the line with 1.7 seconds left. The Minneapolis native, who finished with a team-high 18 points, made the first free throw and, after a Robert Morris timeout, the second, extending the lead to 69-66.

Robert Morris’s last-ditch attempt for a tie was thwarted as O’Hara intercepted the long inbound pass, was fouled again, and iced the game with two more free throws for the final margin.

The contest was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. Green Bay won by maximizing its possessions, scoring 71 points on just 60 trips (an offensive rating of 118.0), while Robert Morris managed 67 points on 65 possessions (103.6). The Phoenix shot 50.9% from the field (27 of 53) and dominated inside, outscoring the Colonials 36-22 in the paint. Robert Morris stayed afloat primarily through perimeter shooting, hitting 12 of 27 from 3-point range (44.4%), compared to Green Bay’s 7 of 20 (35%).

Goode was a force for the Colonials, posting a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Prather added 14 points and four assists, and Albert Vargas chipped in six points and five assists. For Green Bay, the offensive load was shared effectively. Alongside Allen and O’Hara, Caden Wilkins of Bettendorf, Iowa, contributed 17 points, including three 3-pointers.

Green Bay built its winning margin with a strong first half, taking a 40-33 lead into the break. The Phoenix maintained that cushion for most of the second period, weathering every Colonial push. Robert Morris pulled within one possession on multiple occasions down the stretch but could never regain the lead they last held at 17-16 in the first half.

The victory provides a crucial momentum shift for Green Bay as it navigates the Horizon League schedule. Robert Morris, meanwhile, will look to regroup after seeing a three-game winning streak snapped in dramatic fashion.