Well, after a rough off-season, BG started off the season the right way, with a 7th straight win over EMU. It's a step in the right direction...obviously lots more to prove. EMU really is a mess...but it was on the road and BG did win by a big margin. Kenpom had EMU slightly favored. So, even with EMU's issues, it was worth noting.
BG never trailed and led for all but 35 seconds. The first half was competitive....BG led by 4 with 6 minutes left. BG went on a modest 16-9 run to close the half out with a double-digit lead. It never got closer than 8 from there on in and was over 20 for the last 5 minutes.
BG is focusing on being over 90 for three straight games as if two of those weren't non-D1 games.
It was BG's biggest win in a MAC since a COVID-era beatdown of CMU at McGuirk.
The game was played at 73 possessions, preferred by both teams. As Todd Walker noted, BG ended up with -17 at the line....almost impossible to imagine winning when you are -17 at the line, much less by 26.
Remember, EMU came in shooting right at the NCAA average. They shot 36% from 2FG and 13% from 3FG for an EFG% of 31%. That's the worst a team has shot against BG since a Cleveland State game right before Christmas, 2015.
Of course, was it terrible offense, poor shooting night, or good defense. From what I saw, I felt like BG played their best defensive game of the year. Coach said they talked a lot about it, and I hope we can see a reset starting in MAC play. It would make a significant difference....we play much better off a missed shot.
To wit, BG shot 60%....their best shooting this year and only bested once last season.
BG put five guys in double figures. Leon Ayers had 24 points, with on 9 of 13 2FG shooting and 1 of 4 3FGs. That's a highly efficient night. Chandler Turner had a big night as well...double-double, 14 and 10....shot 4 of 7 and 2 of 3. Rashaun Agee had 14 as well, in 17 minutes. He made 6 of 7 and 0 of 1 and added 4 boards and 5 blocked shots. Kaden Metheny seems to be coming into form....11 points, 3 of 6 from 3FG and 6 assists over 1 turnover. Curtis also had 11 on 2 of 3 and 1 of 3 shooting, with 7 assists over 2 turnovers. In case you missed it, he has made 32 straight FTs.
Love seeing our guards play efficiently without chucking up tons of shots.
Sam Towns also had 7 boards in 18 minutes.
Of course, the big name is Emoni Bates. He shot 2 of 10 and 0-4...but made 11 of 14 FTs to end with 15 points in 35 minutes. His two best games this year....Michigan and South Carolina.
So here we go. OU in Saturday. Off to a good start with a big win over a struggling team. OU is better, let's see how that plays out.
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