Falcon MBB Loses in Double Overtime

 Well, crap.

BG was facing the team directly above it in the standings.  That team was down its #1 and #3 scorer.  BG had the ball more than once with a chance to win the game.  Alas, this equaled a loss.

I give CMU credit.  They came in undermanned and played a really tough game.  They scored better than they normally do and gave BG fits on the defensive end.  That's a well coached and gritty team. They had two players play 47+ minutes. It was their second straight 2OT win, this one on the road.

In Coach Simon's words, "we did not play very well."  That was especially true on the defensive end.

More on that in a minute.

Central led almost all of the first half and BG did not lead at all. They led by no more than 8, however, and BG had closed hard, reducing an 8-point lead with 1:43 left to 3 at the break.

Note that CMU led by only 3, despite outshooting BG 67% to 39%,  So, you figure those numbers are both bound to change. 

BG took the lead less than two minutes into the half. What came next was an outstanding half of basketball. Both teams led by 5 once, but most of the time it was 0,1 or 2.  BG had their 5 point lead with 3:43 left, but failed to score again in regulation, including a possession where they got two shots at the basket.  CMU had the ball with :11 left and the game tied, but BG got a stop to send the game into overtime.

BG scored the first five points of the first overtime. At that point, there was 2:12 left.  BG still led by 4 with :52 left and one free throw coming.

Phillip missed that FT, CMU scored, Hill turned the ball over and CMU scored again.  Tie game.

BG had :11 to go and the ball.  They called timeout, but never really got anything going.  BG's move is to isolate Hill and let him drive to the basket. CMU was having none of that.  They ran 3 guys at him and we just couldn't get the ball out and when we did they were able to recover.  Hill missed a jumper and the game was onto the 2nd OT.

BG was up 1 with :41 left and the ball. Same thing, CMU blanket defense on Hill, Philip ends up late shock clock missing a 3FG.  McMillan drove down and hit a layup to put the Chips up 1 with :11.  BG had one last shot, but Hill could not convert and there it was, a 1-point win.

It's disappointing.  We had chances to win in both overtimes and missed FTs hurt us all the way.  CMU game at us really hard and we didn't have an answer on those clutch possessions.  Up 4 inside of 1 minute in the first one.,..with a FT coming...you gotta win that one.

The game was played at a glacial 59 possessions/40 minutes.  CMU was making shots and BG was in the half court and the Chips--playing zone and man--gave BG fits all night.

Take a look at this.  There are not many teams when the shooting is that far apart and the game is decided by 1 point. CMU took only 13 3FGs, the lowest rate by a BG opponent this year.  They made 54% on 2FGs and 38% on 3FGS.  Those 2FGs were a combination of wild shots that went in and BG playing terrible perimeter defense and allowing easy layups.  Coach said it was "unacceptable" and that our 1-2-3s have to keep their men in front of them.

BG meanwhile, shot 43% and 21%.  The CMU defense was packed in and BG took 45% of their shots from 3FG, leaving that 21% number pretty deadly.

What kept BG in the game.  Well, first, they made 4% turnovers.  That's their second lowest since 1999.  (Two oddball facts. Three of the five lowest turnover games have been against CMU...and BG has lost 4 of the 5 lowest turnover games).

BG did not succeed on the offensive boards....they had a big number but missed a ton of shots...and BG did get to the line and was +11 at the line.  Sadly, they were 21 of 32 (66%) and a couple more of those, especially when trying to extend the lead, and the whole thing is different.

Also, BG had shots to make and they didn't. Inside the paint but outside the restricted area, BG was 1-11.

Marcus Hill had 22 on 7 of 17 2FG shooting and 1 of 3 from 3.  He was 5 of 9 at the line, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 turnovers.  He's a tough dude.  It was VERY physical on the inside.  A random touch on the perimeter was a foul, but in the paint there was no foul unless bone was sticking out.  They made him work for it and then took him out of the key situations at the end, and BG didn't have another answer on the perimeter.

Agee had a big game, scoring 20 and adding 14 rebounds. He was 6-11 shooting, (all 2s), 8 of 12 at the line and 4 assists over 1 turnover.  Some Falcons had a tough night.  I give Thomas credit for trying to step up given the pressure on Hill, but nothing was falling for him.

So, BG is 6-4 in the MAC, loser of 3 of 4 and 2 straight at home.  Three of their losses have come to the teams in front of them--and two of those on the road--and then a loss to Kent.

It was a disappointing loss and really one we should have won.  I know we are 15-7, but we are building here.  Looking forward to what is ahead.