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It was a great game, especially if you like guard play. Both teams ran up and down the court, and showed great effort. Bowling Green took a 6 point lead early in the first half, and then an 8 point lead early in the second. Both times, the Kangaroos rallied quickly. For most of the game, only one or two possessions separated the teams.
With about 5 minutes left in the game, Coach Michael Huger switched to a 1-2-2 zone. It mostly worked, with the Kangaroos scoring most of their remaining points in transition. Unfortunately for Coach Huger and the Falcons, the Kangaroos were able to hit a 25 foot three pointer and a running shot from the elbow to close out the win. Those are the shots you are hoping to force in a zone, it just didn’t work out for the Falcons.
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Even though it was their third loss of the season, there are a lot of positives the Falcons can take from the game. They played well as a team, and looked fluid on offense. On one point of emphasis this season, rebounding, they had a 47-33 edge. Despite getting a bunch of good looks, the Falcons only shot 39.3% from the floor.
Antwan Lillard had a big game for the Falcons, scoring 19 on 7-12 shooting. Zach Denny added 12 points, and a game high 13 rebounds. Demajeo Wiggins had a rough night offensively, but added 8 rebounds and solid defensive play. A positive looking toward the future, he looks like a good free throw shooter. He went 2-2 and he is hitting 85% this season, compared to 37% last year.
Along with hitting the game winning shot, Martez Harrison led all scorers with 23 for the Kangaroos. Lavell Boyd added 18.
This was the first game of the Bill Frack tournament for the Falcons. They have Green Bay tomorrow at 6pm and then Murray State Monday night at 7. I am not sure what we will be able to take out of those games, especially the one Monday. Games three days in a row are tough on anyone, even young legs. After that, they get a break until Saturday.
Against Oakland, in the first game of the season, BGSU looked bad. With each game, I have seen vast improvement. I am not going to say BGSU is ready to compete for the East, but the season doesn’t look as bleak as I first thought. I am really impressed with how quickly they have improved on their teamwork and chemistry.