Green Bay, Wisc. - USF got off to a slow start, rallied but could not overcome homestanding Wisconsin-Green Bay's 24 free throws as the Dons dropped their fourth straight 62-53 Tuesday night in Green Bay.

Craig Sager led the Phoenix with 17 points, including 10 free-throws while DeVante Blanks added 13 points, including five charity tosses.

USF rallied to close a 32-20 halftime lead to 48-45 with 6:18 remaining and again at 53-50 with 2:54 left, but Dons' point guard Chris Barideaux fouled out with 2:28 left and the Phoenix converted nine more free-throws to clinch the game, while USF only got a single three-pointer by Darrell Tucker.

The Phoenix (7-7), who also defeated USF's WCC foe Gonzaga last month, won their fourth straight despite shooting just 34% from the floor. Green Bay rushed to an early 15 point lead in the first half, but USF's defense then took the game over.

After Green Bay held early 19-4 and 21-8 leads, USF made their runs. The Dons held the Phoenix to just 10 field goals over the final 26:48 of the contest.

Center Hondre Brewer, who entered the game with more blocks (49) than any other entire team in the West Coast Conference was a factor with a career nine blocks, giving him 58 on the season. Darrell Tucker came off the bench to score 19 points for the Dons, now 6-8 on the year after losing its fourth straight road game.

The Phoenix shot an unbelievable 32 free-throws to just five for USF, outscoring the Dons 24-3 from the free-throw line.

"We got down early, but we had every opportunity to win the game, but we missed some easy shots, even layups," said coach Phil Mathews. "I was happy with our defensive effort, but we missed some shots when we were in a one possession game."

USF trailed 32-20 at the half, despite outshooting the hosts 45.0% to 38.1%. USF came out of the gates as cold as the 3 degree weather outside, making just 2 of its first 8 shots and turning the ball over seven times in their first 15 possessions.

Three different Phoenix players hit three pointers in succession as the hosts grabbed a 21-6 lead with 6:48 remaining. But the Dons made a 8-1 run paced by six points by Darrell Tucker to cut the lead to 24-16.

USF's defense improved after spotting the Phoenix the lead, but the Dons could not catch the Phoenix as the hosts began marching to the free-throw line, scoring their last 11 points of the first half from the free-throw line. Green Bay outscored USF 13-1 from the free-throw line in the first half. Included in the free-throws was a technical foul on coach Phil Mathews, his first of the season, after disputing a foul call on what appeared to be a clean block by Hondre Brewer with 2:35 left in the half.

USF returns home to San Francisco to play its final nonconference game Monday at home vs. Humboldt State. The Dons begin WCC play when they host Gonzaga on January 12th.