BG MBB Shoots Lights Out, beats Lipscomb

 The Falcons responded to their 3-game losing streak with a victory over a decent Lipscomb team, 82-61. They went to a very tight 6-man rotation and benefitted from the most effective way to win basketball games: putting the ball into the basket.

Remember, when Dr. Naismith hung the peach basket up, he told his students that the object of the game was to throw the ball into it.

Lipscomb led for only :21, BG for over 38. BG leader for the first 15 minutes of the game with the lead generally between 8 and 11.  With 5:21 left in the first, BG led by 10.  BG went on a 14-2 run to end the half and probably the game, up 22.  LU was 1-8 from the field for that time period.

BG opened the half up on a 10-3 run and the lead was 29.  With about 12 to play, Lipscomb began to chip away, getting the lead down to 12 with 8 left.  You build a lead to 12 you feel great.  You let a lead slip to 12 and you're nervous.  Either way, BG had a 92% chance of winning.  Which they did.  Simon got a timeout, BG scored the next 8 points and the lead was never closer than 18 again.

It was a 69 possession tempo, which is slow for BG. BG had 1.18 points per possession, they best offensive game of the season.  They held Lipscomb to .88 points per possession, the second strong defensive game in a row.  

Clearly, the story is in the shooting, since the other factors were close or went Lipscomb's way.

BG had its best shooting game in two years.  They made 63% from 2FG and 56% from 3FG.  They shot that well from 2 against D1 opponents 3 times last year and haven't made 3FGs like that since a 2019 game against Northern.

Meanwhile, Lipscomb made 50% on 2FGs, which is average, and made only 24% on 3FGs.  BG kept them off the boards, took care of the ball and cruised to victory.

BG shuffled some things.  Towns started in place of Agee, but the overall rotation was Towns, Spurgin, Agree, Hill, Humphrey, and Philip.  Trey Thomas did not play--not sure if the injury was re-aggravated or they just didn't want to play him back-to-back this early in his rehab.

Marcus Hill.  Seriously.  He is the #3 scorer in the MAC right now. He netted 33, but here's the important thing.  He's not a gunner.  Yes, he shoots a lot, but he scores efficiently. He was 13 of 19 from 2FG and 2-4 from 3FG.  He also added 4 rebounds and 5 assists over 2 turnovers. He never left the floor.

DaJion Humphrey had 14, making his only 2FG and 4-7 from 3FG.  A hit in any man's league. Jason Spurgin had his best offensive game for BG, scoring 12 on 3 of 6 and 2 of 3 shooting. Agee added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Da'Shawn Phillip was +26.

So, onto Canisius later today.  They are a solid team and it will be another good test for us.  Winning 2/3 would be a nice result for us.