Sunday, March 08, 2009

Falcons Administer Beat Down, Celebrate Victory

Oh, the sweet feel of victory. Man, was it a great day at Anderson Arena today. How long have we waited to cut the nets down? How long have we loyally watched struggling teams play hard, but just not have the talent to get it done? How many times have we left Anderson Arena feeling like we could have something, someday.

It is today. Below is the video we shot of the Falcons cutting the nets down at AA today, the MAC's regular season champions, #1 seed, and guaranteed NIT participant.

It was a great feeling.



I give huge amounts of credit....to Greg Christopher for getting us the right coach, to Louis Orr and his staff for turning this program around in only two seasons, and to the players who stuck it out through the lean years, and were rewarded today with a championship.

Great job. It is a great day to be Falcon fan. I really thought we would get there, but I will admit...I didn't think it would be this year.

It could not have been a better senior day at Anderson Arena today.

Faced with a game they had to have to meet their goals for this season, the Falcons delivered a commanding performance, their best of the season, as they dominated the Ohio University Bobcats virtually from the moment the game began.



Today was a complete wipeout. It was, to be fair, one of those days when everything went right for BG and not so right for OU. (We should avoid gloating too much, Falcon fans, because we may see this team again, we play the winner of the OU-WMU game in Cleveland.)

At one point, the Falcons led 22-5. The 40 were scored in the first half was equal to the entire regulation output against Miami. When you shoot 60% from the field (are you kidding me?) and your opponent shoots 27%...well, it is pretty much clear that's the whole ball game right there.

The 75 points were the most for BG since our FIRST Mac game against Buffalo.

I thought Bowling Green played an exceptional defensive game. Our 2-3 zone was absolutely stifling. OU would work the ball around, and most times, a Falcon was right on top of the player before he could shoot. They certainly had their share of balls not fall--including one shot that was so far IN I didn't think it was possible for it to come out.



The Falcons also shot 50% from beyond the arc, which is a pretty remarkable stat on its own. The Falcons committed only 13 fouls, while OU was called for 25 fouls, inspiring their Coach into a Psycho-rage on the sidelines on more than one occasion, and once at the end to great comic relief.

Like all of our victories, it was a great team victory. Nate Miller, playing his last game at AA, had 14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 assists and 1 blocked shot where he seemed to be ready to skim his fingers along the top of the backboard. Otis had a strong game, too, with 14 points and six boards--we are a different rebounding team when he is in the game. Daryl Clements, also in his last game, scored 15 points, including 3 bombs. He also had six assists.

So, everyone in the nation take a day of celebration and thanks. I am so proud of this team and this program and of our loyal fans who have stuck with the team through the many thin games that have come before us.

Enjoy.

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