BG loses Heartbreaker to Akron

So there have been some seasons when we're discouraged and beaten by this time of year.  Where we were not too disappointed to get beaten at this point in the year.

Not this year.  That done last night had a little sting to it.  That was really disappointing.  With a lot to play for, BG played just a really poor game the whole way, and yet if it had played well for the last 2 minutes could have still been a win, but did not.  Just a very disappointing way for the game to end.  Very disappointing.  You could sense it from everyone--Coach Huger, the players, and the fans.  That should have been our game.  It was right there, even after 38 minutes of crappy play, and still BG was unable to get it done, putting a serious crimp in their search for a home game.  More on that later.

We weren't ready for prime time, even against an Akron team not good enough to put us away.

The Akron hegemony continues.  That's 19 out of 20.  Also, a sweep from this year.  And that was Akron's first road win of the year.  It is just not good.

Unlike other Falcon games, this one didn't feature any big runs.  The game was tied 12 times and there were 27 lead changes.  It was back and forth the whole way, with neither team playing any defense.

And BG lead inside of 2 minutes and had the ball.  Following Ivey splitting a pair, BG was up 1 with 1:46 left.  Fox missed a 3.  Wiggins with the board.  Kick out to Turner, who missed a jumper.  Wiggins rebound.  He goes back up and has a wide open shot from the front of the rim, an absolute zero footer and he didn't get it over the rim.

Down the floor we go.  Wiggins was visibly upset at missing the shot.  Perhaps related, he got a rare blocked shot on the BG end and the Falcons had the ball back without about a minute left and still with the lead.  Turner tried to feed the post and the ball never got anywhere near Wiggins and the Zips had the ball and this time they drew a fall and Utomi made both FTs.  Zips now up 1.

BG comes down and with :27 Turner hits a jumper and now BG is back up 1 with only :27 left!!

Akron ran a little clock and then Ivey got into the paint (what else is new) and hit a shot and BG was down 1 with :11.

The Falcons came down the floor without a timeout (worked before) and Frye missed a 3FG with :07.  Wiggins with the offensive board, Wiggins again misses the put back and it ended 81-79.

Just need one stop or one zero footer and the story is different.  Or better defense all along.  Anyway, it was a crushing loss.

The problem was not on offense.  BG scored 1.11 points per possession, made shots, took advantage of an undersized Akron team on the boards and did a good job getting to the line, making just under 70%.  The problems were all on defense.  BG allowed 1.14 points per possession, allowing a lot of made shots, not forcing turnovers and allowing an incredible number of free throws.  Simply put, BG's defense was very poor.  Daniel Utomi ate the Falcons alive, with 29 points, on 8 of 13 shooting, 9 of 10 at the line, 5 assists and 3 steals.

In terms of the stat sheet, Dylan Frye had his best game since Norfolk State, scoring 24 on 8 of 13 shooting and 4 assists.  Wiggins had a 17/12 double double, shot 5 of 9 and make 7 of 8 FTs.  He had 4 turnovers.  Justin Turner had 15 on 6 of 14 shooting, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.  Lillard had 11 on 4 of 8 shooting, and 6 rebounds.

But most of the stats are on offense.  The defense as a team speaks for itself.

So here is where we stand.  Essentially, BG needs to beat all the 5-10 teams to end up on home court.  Problem is, BG has a tough way to go coming home, with two road games and Buffalo at home.  Furthermore, CMU and Akron get the tiebreaker over BG, and BG split with NIU and still plays OU.  Now, CMU plays @UT and BSU, so they could easily not get 2 wins.  Akron has Miami, @UB and KSU, also far from a certain two wins.  OU is @UB, BGSU and @Miami.  Far from a certain two wins.  And NIU plays @EMU and then UT and BSU.  Unlikely two wins.  But remember, only one of those needs to happen to probably put BG on the road.

So, I feel safe saying that one win should do it for BG.  Could have been last night.  Even with no wins, they are more likely than not to play at home, albeit on a 5-game losing streak.