At last....a victory

Well, after 34 days without a win, the Falcons MBB team finally broke through with a win at the Stroh Center.  The win over EMU doesn't make the season, but I am happy for our team and coaches.  Losing like they have been is a miserable experience.

The Falcons also remain alive for the #8 spot and a trip to the MAC tournament, where they would play Toledo or Kent.

BG started slowly, as they often do. The Falcons with down 13-7 about five minutes in. They soon had it down to 1 and broke through to lead with about 10 minutes left.  BG led most of the rest of the half...their largest lead was 5 and it was 4 at the break.

The second half was another story.  BG had the lead up to 8 with 17 to play.  It stayed in that range until Curtis hit a 3FG to put BG up 12 with 12 to play.  The lead never was within 10 again, as BG pushed the lead to 20 with 5 to play and ended up winning 88-68.

BG scored 1.29 points per possession, their best in the MAC season.  They shot 61%, which is excellent.  That was 63% on 2FG and 37% on 3FG.  It was BG's best game on the 2FG this season.  

BG had a decent game on turnovers and was dominant on the boards at both ends.  EMU finished +4 at the line, though BG made 72%.

On defense, BG held EMU to 1 point per possession, which is a winning number.  EMU made 53% on 2FG but only 3 of 12 from 3FG.  They had more turnovers.  It was a solid defensive game for BG, albeit against a not-great offensive team.

Samari Curtis really delivered for BG.  He was in the starting line up for only the 2nd time in MAC play.  He replaced Leon Ayers, who has been in a 6 game slump.  Curtis had a huge night.  Here's his line...25 points, 5 of 5 2FG shooting, 2 of 2 3FG, 9-19 at the line, 3 assists, no turnovers...IN THE SECOND HALF.  He scored almost half of BG's 53 2nd half points.

Rashaun Agee had 18 in 20 minutes, on 7 of 10 2FG shooting and 11 rebounds.  It was his first double-double at BG and he was only in double figures once in February coming in.

Ayers finished with 11 off the bench, on 4 of 7 and 1 of 2 shooting.  He also had 4 assists over 0 turnovers.  Metheny had 4 assists as well.

If you think EMU, you gotta ask about Bates.  He didn't start and supposedly had a stomach bug (along with Farrakhan, their #2 scorer).  Bates played 27 minutes and made little impact, scoring 10 points on 2 of 6 and 2 of 4 shooting.  He had 1 rebound and was -19 on the floor.

So, one last game.  With a win and a Miami loss, BG opens up a bunch of tiebreakers--including a four-way tie for 8th--some of which favor the Falcons.  BG does better with EMU in the tie-breaker and I have them beating Miami due to a better record against OU.  I could be wrong.