Falcon MBB Gets Road Win

When last we saw the Falcons, they were leaving the court in Norfolk after their worst defeat in 10 years.  After a long break, they rallied last night and beat Green Bay on the road in overtime, a game they easily could have lost but instead finished strong and closed it out and gave themselves a positive push heading into conference play.

Green Bay is a rebuilding team, just like we are.  They are the 300th most inexperienced team in D1 and BG is #340 (out of 351).   Even so, this was a game BG could have won or lost and they got the win and it was very pleasing.

BG led for most of the first half, extending it as high as 8 but then the Phoenix went on a 12-0 run in the last few minutes of the half to lead by 5 at the break.

Green Bay had the game in control for the first half of the second half.  They blew the lead out to 8 and BG got it back to 1 and then they blew it back out to 8 and BG got it back to 1 again.  With about 5 minutes left BG broke through to take the lead and had it up to 5.

With 2:47 BG was up 3.  A critical phase of the game ensued.  BG had 2 chances to extend the lead but missed 3FGs--one a shot too quick in the possession and a Frye 3FG that was well short of the trim--and then GB hit a 3FG to tie the game with 2:00 left.  The teams traded baskets until there was :40 left when GB took a 2 point lead.  BG had a possession to tie it up and Turner missed a shot but Wiggins had the board and was fouled and made both of the FTs to tie it.  The Phoenix had a last possession but never got a shot off and it was OT.

BG did a great job of finishing the job in the overtime.  They were up 8 with about 2 minutes left.  GB then chipped it back to 1 point with :34 left.  Lillard had fouled out and the Fox had taken his place and they fouled him.  He was in a tough spot, cold and shooting 2 with :24 left but he hit both of them to put BG up 3.  They missed a 3FG and BG cleared the board and was fouled and Caldwell made 2 more FTs and BG was up 5 with :15 left and at that point the game was over.

In fact, BG was 10-10 on FTs in the overtime.  BG also made 4 out of 5 from the field and 1-1 from 3FG in the OT.

GB is struggling offensively and for the first time in a while, BG kept them struggling.  GB scored only .86 points per possession. BG had a rough night on the scoring front as well, but, as mentioned, hit their stride when they needed it with 19 points in the overtime.

The game was won at the FT line.  As you can see below, the first 3 categories were evenly matched to a slight GB advantage.  BG got to the line 33 times and made 27 (over 80%) and Green Bay got to the line only 18 times and made only 10.

FT shooting is worth noting.  BG's style is to attack the basket and they get to the line.  For the first two years, BG was a poor FT shooting team.  They made about 66% for each of the first two years.  This year they are making 75% which is in the top 60 in D1.  That's been very important and got BG this win.

Demajeo Wiggins had a double-double to lead BG.  He had 13 points and 16 rebounds.  Justin Turner also double-doubled at 21 and 10, on 7 of 16 shooting and 3 assists.  Caldwell had 21 points on a rough 4 of 14 shooting and 10 of 11 at the line.  Dylan Frye had a really tough night.  He was 3 of 15.  You know you are a shooter when you are as cold as him and you take 15 shots.

Anyway, a nice win for BG.  MAC play begins on 1/2 and this was a nice way to end the pre-MAC season.  This remains a young team that is still finding its way.