EMU Dominates BG in re-match

It was a long night in Ypsilanti for the Falcons.  I don't usually talk about things like effort and hunger because they are difficult to observe.  I don't mind saying the team didn't get results, but I am always hesitant to talk about people not trying.  If they said it, however...just a note here...after the last two games, BG players and coaches have said themselves that BG did not play with enough hunger to compete.

Anyway.  The first half was relatively competitive, BG had a lead for a while and was only down 27-24 with about 3 left.  In what has become a little bit of a trend, they gave up a late first half run...it was modest, 12-5...but enough for EMU to lead by 10 at the break and from there it was largely over.  You have to wonder if BG's lack of depth is hurting them in the late first half.

BG got the game to 5 a couple times in the second half, but it was never again a one possession game and EMU led by 10 or more for almost the entire final 9 minutes of the game.  With 2:25 left they were up by 19 before some garbage time stuff got the game down to the final, 69-57.

In other words, this was not close, really.

College Basketball Stats

We talked a lot about BG playing very good defensive basketball and now for the second straight game BG played very average defensive basketball.  EMU had 1.06 points per possession...the Falcons have allowed 1.05 in 7 games and lost them all.  BG defended the shot effectively, EMU's FG shooting was below their average.  The problem was everything else.  They turned the ball over only 10 times (16% of total possessions), so they had more shooting possessions and they got a ridiculous 43.9% of their available offensive rebounds.  They also got to the line 28 times, and if they hadn't shot 60% the score would have been even wider.  Even at that, they were +8 at the FT line.

Meanwhile, BG shot right in line with their season average and EMU's defensive average, while turning the ball over on 26% of their possessions, having only average offensive rebounding and getting to the line only 14 times and shooting 64% when they got there.  BG had .88 points per possession, and while that was much higher than they got against EMU last time, it was not enough to win, especially with the team not defending effectively.

College Basketball

Individually, BG had no answer for Glenn Bryant.  Dude came off the bench, scored 26 on 10 of 18 shooting with 10 rebounds and 7 on the offensive glass.  He had a career night against the Falcons last night.  We play Javon McCrea next, for what it is worth.

Richaun Holmes was back on form with 20 points on 7 of 12 shooting and 9 rebounds.  He did have 5 turnovers.  Anthony Henderson had 12 points on 4 of 7 from 3FG and Spencer Parker had a tough 10...4 of 11 shooting to go with 7 rebounds.

Jehvon Clarke had 9 points in a long night...3 of 12 shooting, 4 assists and 3 turnovers.

Cam Black struggled to shoot, at 2 of 7, but he had 10 rebounds.  On the other hand, even though he and Holmes had nice rebounding nights, I assume they were the ones who were supposed to be keeping Bryant off the boards, too.

In a final note, Lyshe played 15 minutes and Tisdale 6.

BG is now 3-4 in the MAC and in sole possession of 8th play and with a 1-game lead over Kent and NIU, who are 2-5.  BG returns home next to play Buffalo, which is 5-2.