Falcons Go On Coastal Carolina Cruise (MBB)

BG got what they needed Saturday, beating Coastal Carolina in a drama-free effort that capped off a week where BG won 2 games at home over teams that were a collective 8-35 in D1 games.  Still, it's the first two-game winning streak since New Mexico St/Morgan State and was badly needed.

The two games coincide with BG getting healthier and a couple of younger players picking up the pace, Derrick Butler getting healthy, etc.   We'll get a chance to field test that group against OU on Tuesday at the Stroh.

The first big test was tempo and it went BG's way.  CC plays very slow and BG players faster...and BG got the game to 69 possessions which suited them better.

BG led the game for 39:15.  They led by more than 10 for the last 30 minutes of the game.  They burst out to a big lead and CC did get it back to 11, but the Falcons never let it get into any kind of danger zone. BG led by 23 in the first half and 25 in the second half.

It wasn't built on a great offensive performance.  BG scored .97 points per possession, which is normally a losing number.  Except for that NM State game, 1.14 was our lowest winning number.   BG took 41% of their shots from 3FG, which is in their normal range.  They made 41%, which is obviously good.  The disappointing part was that they made 37% on 2FG, which is just terrible and sadly only their 4th worst of the year.

If offense didn't win the game, defense did. BG did outshoot CC, who scored .77 points per possession, the lowest against BG in a D1 game this year.  They made 45% from 2FG and 21% from 3FG.  CC had twice as many turnovers as BG. The Falcons had 11 steals. Teams that win shooting and turnovers win 94% of the time.  BG got to the line more and was +4 in FTs made.

Derrick Butler coming off the bench, had a big game.  19 points in 23 minutes on 5 of 7 from 3FG.  Coach was asked about it and he might keep Butler off the bench if the combinations work with some of the subs.  Earlier, BG was getting nothing from the bench and if we can switch that, we can get some more rest for our starters.

Thomas had 12 on 4 of 6 3FG shooting and 0-5 2FG shooting. 

Marcus Johnson had 11 but it was rough...1 of 9 and 1 of 4.  Made all 4 FTs, 3 assists and 4 steals over 1 TO. 

Felt also had 11, on 5 of 6 from 2FG, 11 rebounds (double-double), 2 assists and 2 blocked shots.  

Braelon Green seems to be coming into this own.  Coach says he is embracing being a playmaker.  In 19 minutes, he had 5 assists over 1 TO. 

Wil Exacte had 4 steals. And Javonte Campbell had 3 assists.

The MAC-Sun Belt Challenge ended 12-12.  Both teams went 8-4 at home.  So, back to MAC play.  BG has 8 games left and is 1 game back from going to Cleveland.