FalconBlog--Triumphs and Trials in the BGSU Falcon Nation

We needed that

We needed that win. We have tough road games at Toledo and Kent this week, and we're down two at the half on our floor...we had to have that win. And we got it, 78-63, going away, in fact. They key moment was when we bolted out to a 25-8 run in the first seven minutes of the second half. We came right out of the shoot with an old-school three by John Floyd, and that gave us the lead, and we raced home from there. We hardly missed during the run, while OU was something like 3-12 with 6 turnovers in the same period.

A few keys to the win. First, it was clear that the post-Fitch set up just wasn't working. Further, we are being embarassed with drives to the hoop off the dribble. Coach made a nice adjustment starting Scott Vandemeer, who played 21 minutes, grabbed 6 boards and tied the school record with 7 blocks. He really helps defend those drives, and I think he helps keep bodies off Josh inside. He made a real difference last night, and I hope we see him getting 20 minutes or so coming home.

As usual, when we win we get help from numerous guys. Soler with 8 boards. Reimold and Almanson with 18 points, as usual. Floyd throws in 16 and 8 assists (and 9 tos :-(). Even Austin popped a key three.

We shot 51% for the game, and 60% in the second half. We did turn it over 20 times, but good FG shooting, and FT shooting (95%) helped to make it up. Both teams shot 20 free throws, and we won on the boards 39-20. Finally, we scored 52 second half points...nice.

Also follows a trend I have been tracking and will write on soon...we score 70 and allow less than 70, we win. Finally, OU shot 41% from the field, which is a pretty important stat for our team.

We're 13-6 now, and 7-4 in the MAC. There's a huge pack racing for the third bye, and we're as much in it as anyone. But there are no easy games for us. We need to split the games this week, which will be tough, but it would help a lot. The most likely place for that split is at Savage against the inconsistent Rockets.

One more win also assures us of our first winning record since the McLeod/Matela/Pardon era ended.