Falcon MBB Wins 2nd straight MAC game

Saturday at the Stroh, BG came up with their second straight MAC win and their best game of the season, defeating the OU Bobcats by 9 in a highly entertaining and competitive game.

BG had the best of the play, most of the way.  The Falcons led for 13 minutes in the first half, with OU only leading for about 4 minutes.  There were 7 lead changes, but BG was setting the pace and led by 4 at the half--a result we would be happy with the whole way.

BG came out of the locker room strong and stretched the lead to 13 with 15 to play.  OU was never going to go easy.  They brought Wilson back in and went to a zone and things stabilized and they went on a 16-13 run to tie the game with 11 minutes left.  The Bobcats eventually took the lead with 8 minutes left and led (with one short exception) until the 4-minute media timeout.

At this point, as a BG fan, you have to be nervous.  We don't have a great track record in situations like that--it's not universally bad, but it always feels like a struggle.

All that to say that BG did the job Saturday.  They outscored OU 17-7 coming home, turning a 72-71 deficit into an 88-79 victory.   The run started with 3FGs on consecutive possessions from Metheny....which turned out to be decisive.  The dagger came with a minute left.  OU had cut it to 5 and BG needed a basket.  Rashaun Agree drove into the paint and fired the ball and the front of the rim with such force that it climbed over and into the basket.

From there, FTs did the job and get won by 9.  Highly satisfying game in front of a decent crowd at the Stroh.

BG scored 1.24 points per possession, their second straight strong offensive game. Importantly, this one came with OU working very hard to take Leon Ayers out of the game.  They did that (more or less), but BG still was able to have a big offensive game.  That's important as we see if this can turn into something.

The game was at 71 possessions, a BG-friendly pace.  BG shot 37% from 3FG, in what seems to be a good number for us.  BG made 53% on 2FGs and 44% on 3FG.  BG also took excellent care of the ball--their turnover rate was the lowest in a couple seasons.  The rebounding battle was lost decisively, but free throws were even.

On defense, BG didn't have a great game.  They allowed 1.11 points per possession, which is normally a losing number.  OU shot the 3FG really well at 48% but BG did a really good job on the 2FG, holding OU to 43%.  Combine that with the turnover advantage and there's your victory.  Not a great defensive night, but good enough to win a game and provide BG with their best performance of the season.

Individually, Kaden Matheny continues to be a sparkplug.  It's hard to overstate how much he struggled early in the year, coming off an injury where he missed almost all of last year.  He was just spectacular.  He scored 25 points on 4 of 8 2FG shooting and 5-9 3FG shooting and added 3 steals. He's settling in and is making a huge difference in the improvement in the team, especially as opponents lock down on Ayers.

BG seems to have found something with their new lineup.  Starting Mills is providing them with a defensive presence, and they are now bringing Agee and Curtis off the bench. It's an interesting approach and everyone seems bought in.  I have not seen a bench like this in a long time--actually chanting defense in the second half.

Agee had 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks in 17 minutes.  I don't know how long it's sustainable to limit his minutes like this, but he is doing 30 minutes of work in 17 minutes.

Ayers had a rough 13 points and 4 assists.  Sam Towns double-doubled against his former team.  Curtis had 8 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes.  

Brenton Mills, in addition to playing great D, was 3-4 from 3FG, which is a real contribution.  He came to BG as a 3FG sharpshooter and if he gets in that mode again, we get better.  But the defense helps on its own.

It is as optimistic as I have been since we were 5-0 in the COVID year.  Long way to go...it's cautious optimism...but I think Metheny has his groove back (and some) and we have found a rotation that seems to be working.  It's conference play, so you're only as good as the last game....and it is the Zips at BG on Tuesday.