Zips Prevail Again (MBB)

BG falls to 0-1 in MAC MBB play.

The opponent was the perennial power and the defending champs....the Zips of Akron.  They pushed their current streak to 36-5 against BG with a 71-68 win where they didn't take their first lead until there was 1:10 left to play in the game.

Coach said the staff had been emphasizing defense and rebounding in practice, saying something along the lines of what Coach Orr used to say, which was "you can't let your shooting percentage determine your winning percentage."  BG did play better defense after getting lit up in their last 2 D1 games and the rebounding was also improved, especially on the offensive boards in their best D1 game.

Unfortunately, BG's offense was sub-par and that cost them the game.  Coach says we are "too talented" for these offensive woes to continue.  To illustrate the tale of woe, BG was 11 of 36 in the paint and Akron lacks their typical big man.  That's a tough look.  Coach also said that missing those deep baskets tends to lead to easy transition opportunities going the other way.

Still, all in all, BG led for 36 minutes without Towns, Humphrey or Khayat.  At the same time, it makes it all the more a missed opportunity.  Akron has won a number of the games in their run against us because they always close games out well.  A switch gets turned.  Anyway, it was a loss with a little sting to it. 

BG allowed .96 points per possession and scored .92.

One other thing.  BG shot only 14-21 at the line,w hich easily could have cost them the game as well.

Trey Thomas had a big offensive game with 19 points. Coach said after the game that he has been in a shooting slump and the numbers bear that out.  Coach says Thomas is a hard worker and will come around.  It makes a big difference to us when he does.  His 19 came on 3 of 4 and 4 of 7 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 4 turnovers.  Derrick Butler, playing a full 40, had 15 on a tough offensive night, hitting 2 of 7 and 3 of 7 with 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

Marcus Johnson had 14....2 of 5 on 3FGs, which is good....and 4 of 10 on 2FG, which is not.  Also missed both of his FTs...he came in among the nation's leaders. He also had 6 rebounds. Played only 25 minutes due to first half foul trouble. Javontae Campbell had 11 on 2 of 11 2FG shooting, which is a long day.  He also had 6 rebounds, made 7 of 9 at the line and 3 steals.  Jamai Felt had 10 rebounds in 18 minutes and Exacte had 9 in 20 minutes.

Coach points out that Felt is essentially a FR and Exacte did not play all of last season.  They are playing more right now because of Towns and Khayat being out.  Also, just from the expectation standpoint, I thought we'd be getting more out of Preston Squire.

So.  0-1 it is.  Two roads games this week.  If BG can marry up strong defense with making some shots, they have a good shot in both of them.