Hated Rockets Beat Falcons

 It was far from a disaster.  BG played tough much of the way, lead more than half the game, etc.  But as Coach said after the game, you can't have self-inflicted wounds in a game like this.  It only takes a small lapse--especially in the second half, especially on the road--and you don't win that game.  It is why winning games and championships is hard and requires teams to be really good and consistent.

We are still having more success than I expected.  Better days ahead.

UT had a couple of sparks, mini-runs, crowd gets amped up and BG always reeled them back in.  With 12:15 left, BG led by 5.

Here is how it went after that....

UT hits a 3FG (BG +2)

    BG Turnover

UT hits a 2FG (Tied)

    BG hits a 2FG (+2)

UT misses 3FG

    BG missed 2FG

UT hits 3FG (-1)

    BG misses 3FG

UT misses 2FG

    BG misses 2FG

Mattox hits 3FG (-4)

    BG turnover

Mattox hits 3FG (-7)

    BG turnover

Cochran with 2FG off his steal (-9)

That goes from 12:15 to 7:49, about 4:30 of game time.  One team executing at a ridiculous level, one team not.  

It was decisive.  Game never got closer than 8, Falcons faded coming home and lost by 16.

UT scored 1.26 PPP, a winning number in most games.  They did it with a 65% EFG. They shot 67% from 2FG and 42% from 3FG. And they took good care of the ball.

BG's last win over a team that shot that well was over UT in that crazy OT game at the Stroh in the Jans year when Zack Denny came off a double screen for the winning shot.

We know--and Coach Kowalcyzk mentioned in his post-game--that BG relies on getting to the line and on offensive rebounds.  They took those things away.  BG did nothing on the offensive boards and shot only 7 FTs.  UT is notoriously good at defending without fouling, and they executed it.  

BG actually had a decent shooting game. BG made 55% on 2fg and 33% on 3FG. It was third 2nd best in MAC play and 5th best overall.  Not enough, in the end.  

Marcus Hill scored 25 points for BG.  He shot 9 of 18 from 2FG and 1 of 4 from 3FG, which is OK efficiency. He added 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 turnovers. Phillip had 13 on 2 of 2 and 3of 3 shooting and 6 rebounds. Spurgin had 12 on 3 of 4 and 2 of 5 shooting. Trey Thomas had 12 on 3 of 4 and 2 of 7 shooting, with 1 assist and 3 TOs. Agee had 10 on on 4 of 7 2FG shooting, 0-2 from 3, and held to 5 rebounds. 3 turnovers.

Sam Towns was back, playing 14 minutes.

In MAC play, when you lose two in a row, the walls start to close in a little.  Next up is a Ball State team that has won 3 of 4, and the game is in Muncie.  On we go.  Always compelling.