Falcons Escape Findlay

Whew.  Even knowing it was an exhibition game and all, the Findlay Oilers came to the Stroh and literally gave the Falcons all they could handle before BG eventually won in OT. 

Findlay is no joke.  As we talked about last year, this is one of the top DII programs in the country...they are ranked #17 in the country right now.  BG beat them last year, but they went on to be 28-5 or something.  They have beaten MAC teams...this is nothing to sneeze at.

Even so, it wasn't the start I am sure we were looking for.  BG's largest lead was 8 and that came in the last minute of OT.  BG shot very poorly, but won the game by getting 17 of 24 at the line as opposed to 5 of 13 for UF, and by having 6 turnovers to the Oilers' 19.  Findlay was 1-9 at the line after the first half.

So a few notes.

• Fields and Gadsen DNP due to injury.
• Mattos started at C, played 18 minutes had 9 rebounds.
• Ziegler started in the spot I would assume would be the Fields spot.
• The newcomer fans are likely to be talking about was Trey Diggs.  He was 4 of 9 and 3 of 8 from the field, hit both FTs, four rebounds and 2 steals in 23 minutes.  At least one was a key basket.  Beyond that, he's 6'6" and a charismatic player.

Next up is Tiffin, who play in the same conference as Findlay but were picked 8th.  Anyway, it was better to win than lose.  And we're off.