MBB Picks up Much Needed Win

BG's MBB team snapped a five-game losing streak with a much-needed win at the Stroh last night.  The Falcons are having a tough year....big injury issues followed by a team flu epidemic that has hampered the efforts for the last couple of games.  Simon says the team is practicing hard, and is focused on the game plan, even with the struggles.  Javonte Campbell doesn't practice at all due to his hand injury.

So it was good to see them land the W.

The game was played at 71 possessions...BG's last 2 games were in the mid-60s.  BG never trailed, but it was a little tighter than that.   BG burst out to a 13-4 lead and led by 7 at the half.  The biggest lead was nine, and NIU was keeping in touch throughout the half.  In fact, the lead was 4 until Humphrey hit a 3FG at the first half buzzer.

BG put the lead in double digits seven minutes into the half, but then NIU scored the next 10 to cut it to 1 with 11 left.  BG continued to hold the Huskies off, leading by 6 at the final media timeout.  This time it was BG who closed hard with a 13-4 run to make the lead 13 with about 30 seconds left.  Some final NIU thrashing lowered the final result to 7, 84-77.

BG had their best offensive night since the win @WMU, scoring 1.19 points per possession. It's the 4th best all year in D1 games.  They "held" NIU to 1.09 points per possession, which isn't great but it's their best defensive performance in two weeks.

BG won while being outshot.  Turnovers were even, but BG had a huge advantage in offensive rebounding.  BG was +16 in second-chance points.  NIU rarely contested offensive rebounds at all.  BG was also +8 at the line, but that was partly because of NIU fouling at the end.

There were a lot of 3FGs on both sides.  BG took 48% from 3FG and made 35%, which is decent.  NIU took 49% from 3FG and made 32%.  The difference was on 2FGs...BG made 55% and NIU made 66%. Sadly, that's only the 6th worst 2FG% allowed by our D.  (Coach said that Jamai Felt is still battling the flu and played only 15 minutes).

Marcus Johnson had 22 points for BG.  That's 6 of 9 on 2FG and 2 of 8 on 3FG, 4 of 4 at the line, to go with 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 turnovers and 3 steals. He was +19.

Trey Thomas had 17 on 0 of 4 and 4 of 9 shooting, 5 of 6 at the line, 5 assists and 1 turnover. He was +11.

Derrick Butler had 15 points on 4 of 6 and 1 of 4 shooting.  To me, he remains a key part of the team's success.  

DaJion Humphrey had 11---two early baskets and then the 3FG at the first half buzzer.  He also had 2 assists in 24 minutes for BG.

Javonte Campbell had 10, but that's not close to the whole story.  He was 6 of 8 at the line.  Also, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocked shots.  Simon calls him a "warrior."

The Sun Belt challenge is coming up Saturday against Coastal Carolina and then OU comes in the next Tuesday.  That will be a big challenge if the team is looking to get healthy and springboard into the last part of the season.  The MAC is logjammed in the middle and finishing in the top 8 is not impossible.  

Hopefully, the team's focus and hard work will translate into a few more wins in the final weeks.