Your #5 BGSU MBB Falcons

 Before the BG game, I'd like to take a second to appreciate that Miami-Ohio game last night.  Might have been the best game of the year in college basketball.  Well played, closely played, a lot at stake, a full house, and old-fashioned rivalry hatred all mixed together.  Not sure Pavaletzke misses that shot at the end of regulation too many times...OU easily could have won that game.  

But they did not.  Miami won and left the floor as OU fans rained garbage down on them.  God love college sports.

It also threw BG into a tie with OU, and BG beat them in the only matchup this year, that coming at the Convo in December.  BG finishes 5th--above where they were predicted--and faces Toledo in the second game in Cleveland.

BG got there with a less than pretty win over EMU.  But a win is a win.  

With about 9 minutes left in the first, BG led by 10, 19-9.  From there, EMU took control, going 22-9 and leading by 3 at the half.  BG missed a bunch of shots on the rim in the first half, which was fairly ugly.

BG then came out and threw down a 49-point second half. The game was tied with 12 minutes left when BG went on a modest 7-0 run and the game was never closer than 5 again. With about 5 left, BG went on another 9-2 run to get a double digit lead and then cruised home for the 9-point win.

It was the rare game you win when you are out-shot.  EMU shot 54% from 2FG...BG shot a terrible 40%, their second-worst of the season. BG was 15 of 31 inside the restricted area, which is terrible. 3FGs were a different story...BG made 37% and EMU made 19%.  Altogether, EMU has a slight advantage in shooting. BG won the other three factors, ending up ahead 16-6 in 2nd chance points even with their poor shooting at the rim and finished +4 at the line, mostly in the last minute.

Campbell had 22 points for BG. He had to work for it, going 7 of 17 on 2FG and 1 of 2 on 3FG, and 5 of 8 at the line. Also 7 assists, 3 steals, no turnovers.  And +18.

Towns had 15 points and 18 rebounds. He continues to struggle from the field, shooting 3-13/0-2.  He was fouled 8 times and 9-12 at the line.  Even when he's not scoring, I mean, sometimes someone has to want the ball.

Ruffin had 12 on 4 of 7 3FG shooting.  No 2s. Glover had 11 on 5 of 6 shooting and 6 rebounds. And +15.

Mayer Wol played 13 minutes and had 9 points.  He is playing with a bandage on his hand.  His spark was helpful.

So here we go.  Onto Cleveland.  We are three wins away...