Falcons Beat Alabama-Huntsville

In what amounts to their first real win of the season, the Bowling Green Falcons, playing in front of a crowd about half what was in the theater when I saw Lincoln on Sunday, defeated Alabama-Huntsville 68-54.  With the win, BG salvaged one win in the Pre-season NIT, and while it is still not a D1 win, UAH is a D1 quality team and this was a nice victory.

What was nice about it was that BG got some deeper contributions that it has in previous games, where most of the plays were made by A'uston Calhoun and Jordon Crawford.

To be sure, Calhoun still was productive.  He had the team's first double double this year, scoring 20 points and adding 10 rebounds.  He shot 7-14 and made 4 of his 5 free throws, meaning that he scored 20 efficient points.

Jordon Crawford had 10 points, 4 assists and 2 turnovers.  He didn't shoot very well, but he did break out of a season long slump at the line with 6-6.  The team really needs him to convert from the line because he does get fouled.

No, what really made the difference was the fact that BG got scoring from some of its other plays.

Chauncey Orr had 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting.
Luke Kraus had 5 points.
Anthony Henderson has 5 points and 7 rebounds.
Jehvon Clarke had 7 points.
Cam Black had 6 points.

To me, these are the guys we need to watch.  Calhoun appears to be more consistent than he has been at any other point, and Crawford is a productive player.  But, the team needs someone in the Thomas and Brown roles to help create offense and defend.  There wasn't much in the Robert Morris game, but in this game, as you can see, there was.

In particular, Anthony Henderson is someone you would think could score, based on his HS numbers, but he has had trouble getting onto the floor to date.  Jehvon Clarke is similar.  He has played, but shown mostly what he can do in flashes.

Richaun Holmes got back onto the floor with 20 minutes as well.

Certainly, if you read here, you know that we are concerned about the state of this year's team.  Even though it was against a DII team, tonight's effort is the kind of thing we said that we would need to see to succeed.  If the team starts to develop around the big two, perhaps we can exceed the expectations we had.

UAH got out to a fast start and let by 8 with about 9 minutes left. Coach Orr, searching for answers, at one pont in this spell had no starters on the floor at all.  Here, BG finally found its wind, going on a 24-10 run to lead by 6 at the half.  The run featured 3s by Clarke, Calhoun and Orr.

BG extended the lead to 13 in the second half, but UAH found back to back 3s and with just fewer than 8 minutes left they had the lead down to 5.  But Jehvon Clarke nailed 2 jumpers and then Richaun Holmes had a stick back combined with stops on the defensive end and it was back up to 11 with 5 minutes left and it never got any closer.

NCAA Basketball

This game was a little different statistically.  Shooting was relatively even as it has been (in fact, I'd have to go back and look, but I don't think FG shooting is the problem so far), but BG had big advantages on turnovers and free throws (shooting 13 of 15) and rebounding and that was the difference in the game.

BG scored 1.17 ppg and held UAH to .93.  It was a very slow paced game, at only 58 possessions for the game.

College Basketball Stats

The team gets a Thanksgiving break now before a couple of home games next week.  They should both be good tests...Detroit and Youngstown State.  The Penguins have already won @Georgia.  However, both games are home games, and it will be interested to see how the season unfolds on our home floor.