Changing the culture within a college basketball program is usually a difficult proposition that can take a long time to accomplish, if you ever get there at all. Just don't tell Chris Jans that.
Jans' Bowling Green Falcons lost a heartbreaker Tuesday night to the host Dayton Flyers, 56-52. The Falcons (5-2) led for much of the game against the Flyers (7-1), an Elite Eight team in last year's NCAA Tournament. In fact, if not for a late second half scoring drought in this game the Falcons would have notched another impressive non-conference win.
The Falcons shot nearly 50 percent from the field in the first half and took a 32-24 into the locker room. The Flyers never held the lead in the opening 20 minutes, and didn't take their first lead in the entire game until just over two minutes left in the second half.
The Flyers made several runs at the lead early in the second half, but the Falcons always seemed to have an answer to keep their lead at five points or more. The Falcons took a 50-39 lead on a Jovan Austin three-pointer and appeared to be in position to put the game away at that point..
However, Dayton would go on to outscore Bowling Green 17-2 the rest of the way to claim the come-from-behind victory. The real difference in the game was the fact that the Flyers outscored the Falcons 21-2 from the free throw line.
The Falcons were led in scoring by sophomore guard Zach Denny, who had 16 points on 7-12 shooting. Denny was the only Falcon to reach double figures in scoring. Center Richaun Holmes didn't have a great game offensively with just nine points on 4-11 shooting. However, Holmes was his usual menacing self, controlling the paint with 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. Austin finished with six points and a team-high four assists.
The Flyers were led by Devon Scott's 15 points and 10 rebounds, and another 11 points from former Ohio State transfer Jordan Siebert. The Flyers managed just 37 percent from the field, including just 1-15 on three-pointer attempts.
Bowling Green will return home to host the Cleveland State Vikings on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. at the Stroh Center.
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