BG Drops 6th in Last 8

 BG started MAC play with an encouraging 2-0 start, but since then have lost 6 of 8 and placed themselves in danger of missing a tournament bid and even with that in position to face one of the big 3 in the first round.  It's about what we expected when the year started, sadly.

As usual, BG got their doors blown off early, going down 21-7 about 6 minutes in. They responded quicker this time, winnowing it to 4 with 8 minutes left.  A 6-0 Huskie made it double digits again.  BG eventually trailed by 11 before a late rush put it at 7 at the half.

BG came out playing better and a 12-5 "run" sliced the lead to 2 heading into the first media timeout.  But NIU came out on a 17-3 run to push the lead to 16 with 9 minutes left.  BG stayed with it, getting a 15-2 run to get it to 3 with 3:55 left to play.

The second game in a row where BG is within one possession with inside 5 to play. Needing stops, they gave up 3s on the next two possessions and BG was down 7 with 2:41 to play. Curtis split a pair out of the timeout and then Coit hit a 3fg (making it three straight possessions) and the lead was 9 and the game was never in serious doubt again.

BG never led.  NIU led for 39:06.  BG never had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead for the last 14:42.

Oddly, BG went down the stretch without Agee and Ayers.  Agee did not play the last 10 minutes and played only 3:31 in the second half. Ayers left the game with 8:41 left, never to return.

I find this hard to understand. I would assume the explanation is that you need stops to come back and you had better defense on the court, but it seems amazing to me, especially after it got to 3 with 4 left that you wouldn't bring them in to try and capitalize. We are limited on good players and I don't see how having them on the bench gives us a better chance to win.

Perhaps I am wrong.

It is tempting to say that BG lost the game on defense.  NIU had 1.23 points per possession, a losing number of any defense.  BG is 0-16 over the last 5 years when giving up 1.23.  (Note that 12 of the last 16 have been in the last 2 years). BG had 1.12.  When scoring that or better, BG is 7-2.

Even with that, though, BG left points on the board.  BG missed 9 shots inside the no-charge circle...and NIU missed 3.  Northern does foul and BG got to the line but missed 10 FTs.

Even with that, BG shot 59% from 2FG.  They also dogged it from 3FG, making 4 of 17, their worst effort in MAC play.  The Falcons took good care of the ball and was OK on the boards against the MAC's worst rebounding team.  Despite getting 7 more FTs than NIU got, BG was only +2 at the line.

Chandler Turner had 21 for BG on a good night, 7 of 8 from 2 FG and 1 of 4 from 3.  He was 4 of 5 at the line and 5 rebounds.  Ayers had 20 on 6 of 11 and 2 of 3 shooting, plus 4 rebounds.  Also a good night. Kaden Metheny struggled to make shots, but had 5 assists over 0 turnovers. Curtis was back in the game, and had 5 assists over 2 turnovers.  Gabe O'Neal matched Agree in minutes.

So, BG is in serious trouble.  Their next two games are @Kent and @Ball State.  If those go as expected, BG will be 4-8 with 6 to play.  They have lost 6 of 8 and 3 of those were at home. 

Coach said after the game that Coach Noon draws up good game plans, but that BG came out and played like we didn't believe they were true.  It seems to me that he says this a lot.  After a while, you have to wonder why other teams don't have this problem.  It's disappointing and does not seem to be getting any better.