Falcons Win #10, Stomp OU

The BGSU Falcons won their 10th in easy fashion on Saturday, using a powerful second half to put the OU Bobcats down by a 69-54 score.  It is BG's biggest win in the MAC in two seasons an over a team that is a traditional power in the MAC.  I doesn't look like it is exactly OU's best team--time will tell on that--but even if the Bobcats are weak, the Falcons went out and beat them easily, in the end.

With 10 wins, the Falcons are now 2 wins short of last year's win total.  The win was achieved without Jehvon Clarke, who was injured at the Kent game and in a boot on the sidelines.  I understand that BG doesn't think the injury is a long-term issue.

BG came out hot, scoring the game's first 6 points and forcing OU to burn an early time out.  BG never lost the lead.  BG led by as much as 7 but didn't stretch away from OU.  The lead at the half was 5.

Five minutes into the 2nd half the lead was still 5 for BG.  Just after the 12 minute media timeout, a Spencer Parker layup put BG up by 10.  In all, a 15-2 run ballooned the lead out for the Falcons.  BG led by as much as 21 before the final 15 point margin.

NCAA Basketball

BG had a very good defensive game holding OU to .89 points per possession.  The key was the 2FG.  BG was 8 of 21 on 3FG and OU was 8 of 22...BG was  9 of 11 from the line and OU was 8 of 11.  Those are even.  And, BG had only 2 fewer turnovers than OU.  The difference in the game was that BG shot 18 of 38 from 2FG and OU shot 11 of 35, which is 47% versus 31%.  That percentage for OU on 2FG is just terrible--you'd consider that below average for 3FG.  The advantage of 7 2FGs was the difference.

BG ended up at 1.13 points per possession, which is very solid.  BG now has 5 games over 1.1 points per possession.  Last year there were 3 and one was Earlham.

On other note, we did notice that BG had a tough night on the defensive boards against Kent.  They were back on point this time, holding OU to 25% offensive boards.

College Basketball Stats

On an individual basis, you have to recognize that Richaun Holmes is playing like a beast and is beginning to develop his consistency as well.  In 26 minutes of action, Holmes scored 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting, 12 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.  It is very difficult to have a better game than that.  he was a big part of OU struggling so much in the paint.  When a player is near the basket and feels the need to locate Holmes before shooting?  Dang.

Zach Denny had another nice game, with 11 point on 4 of 9 shooting and 9 rebounds.  Denny is a really solid player.  We expected a shooter, but he defends and plays defense as well.  Against OU, he showed the ability to run a shot fake at the 3-line, get the defender off his feet and then step inside the line for an uncontested 2.

Anthony Henderson had 10 points, also on 4 of 9 shooting.  Jovon Austin only had 2 points, but had 6 assists over 2 turnovers.  He is very active with the ball and is clearly much better an opening things up than BG had last year.  Joseph had 4 assists and 3 turnovers, as the two PGs continued to essentially split time...though sometimes they are on the court together.

Replacing Clarke, BG used JD Tisdale, who played 10 minutes and was solidly in the flow without generating any big numbers.  He made both his FTs, which is something after his nightmare year last season at the line.  Walk-on Matt Fox also played 11 minutes, drilling 2 treys.  Coach Jans noted after the game that when you have injuries you can develop depth for use later, and BG got very solid minutes out of these two young men.

So, at 10-3 and 2-0, BG continues to makes the Falcon Nation happy with the turn-around in the first season of the Jans era.  BG has won 4 straight since the Ferris game.  They have held 8 teams under .9 points per possession.  A real test looms Wednesday as BG travels to the JAR to take on the Zips.  East titles run through Akron..not sure this Akron team is up to their normal standards, but they present a big challenge and they are coming off a loss.  Can't wait to see how our boys do.