BG MBB Bounces Back

It was a game with a little attention on it.  Loser of two in a row, BG was on the road--the last thing you want when trying to keep a short streak from turning into a long streak and then a season-ending streak.  Nonetheless, BG rallied, put together a strong performance, and notched the road W.  At the halfway mark of the season, BG is 6-3 and in sole possession of 4th place.  They have a 3-game lead on the #9 team.

BSU came out and led for most of the first 14 minutes. BG rallied and led for the remainder of the half.  They were up 7 with :47 left and BSU scored 5 to cut the lead to 2 at the break.

BG came out strong in the second half, scoring the first 7 points to lead by 9.  That set the tone for the half.  BG's lead circulated between 4 and 9 until the 10-minute mark when BG hit 3FGs on 3 straight possessions and added a FT to put the lead at 10 with 7:28 left.  It was never a one-possession game again.  BSU got it to 4 with 3:04 left, but BG scored the next 6 to make it 10 with 1:41 left.

The last points in the run were a dagger in the truest sense. BG was running clock and it was getting to the end.  Hill was in the paint and surrounded by 3 guys.  Rather than force a shot up, he realized Spurgin was wide open at the top of the key and Spurgin drained the shot to put the game away.

The game was played at 67 possessions.  In the preview, I highlighted that BG was #2 in the MAC in offensive rebounding and BSU was #1 in defensive rebounding.  That was clearly going to be a flashpoint, and BG took it big time. BG got 38% on the offensive boards, their 3rd best of the year and Ball State's 2nd worst game of the year.

BG also shot the ball really well.  They made 53% on 2FG and 50% from 3FG--2nd best of the year.  Only 29% of shots were from 3FG. BSU was 18 of 22 at the line and BG was 15 of 20.

All that came out to 1.21 points per possession, 2nd best of the year. BSU scored 1.08.  They made 47% and 43%.

Marcus Hill had an incredible night.  He scored 28 on 11 of 16 and 2 of 2 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 block and 1 steal.  If that will work for you.  Spurgin had 17, on 3 of 5 and 2 of 3 shooting, 5 of 6 at the line, all in the last minute, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 turnovers.

Rashaun Agee had 14, on 5 of 8 2FG shooting and 4 of 6 at the line. Add 10 rebounds. Thomas had 9 points, 4 assists and 1 turnover.

Sam Towns did not play after playing once coming off injury.  Let's hope it was not a serious relapse.

Coach had said since the last game that he had to increase bench minutes to keep guys fresh.  He did...BG had 55 bench minutes compared to 36 in the Kent game, for example. 

Next up is CMU, who is in 3rd place right now and playing great defense.  It will be a good test for the Falcons at home.