CLEVELAND — Here were our updates and analysis as Thursday’s Bowling Green men’s basketball win over Bowling Green unfolded.
MID-FIRST HALF
■ What happened: Slow starts offensively for BGSU and Central Michigan led to a 10-10 tie midway through the first half.
The two teams combined to make just 8 of 30 shots in the opening nine minutes. BGSU scored six straight points, including a Sam Towns putback and a Rashaun Agee bucket in the paint off a nice over-the-top pass from Towns, to tie it.
Agee had six points and four rebounds in the early going for BGSU.
■ Analysis: It took a few minutes, but BGSU appears to have settled in. The Falcons are crashing the glass with five offensive rebounds leading to six second-chance points.
FIRST HALF
■ What happened: A wacky ending to the first half, along with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, gave Central Michigan the two-point edge at the break.
BGSU led for most of the final five minutes, including 26-23 after a pair of Marcus Hill free throws with 1:27 left. A goaltending call against BGSU cut its deficit to one, and after a frantic back-and-forth stretch, the Falcons’ Jason Spurgin put up a full-court shot with around seven seconds left.
Central Michigan’s Brian Taylor buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
BGSU shot just 29.4 percent (10 of 34), but Central Michigan (37.9 percent, 11 of 29) wasn’t much better. The Falcons dominated the boards 27-17 and had a 10-3 advantage in second chance points.
Rashaun Agee had eight points and 10 rebounds for BGSU. Derrick Butler had 10 points for Central Michigan.
■ Analysis: As expected, defense was solid and offense a struggle for both teams in the opening half. The Falcons are staying in it with their rebounding.
MID-SECOND HALF
■ What happened: Several friendly bounces on 3-pointers sparked a flurry of offense in the first part of the second half.
Central Michigan has led for most of the half, including by four points on multiple occasions.
DaJion Humphrey and Marcus Hill both had 3s rattle in for BGSU, then Central Michigan’s Derrick Butler responded with a trey of his own to make it 43-39.
■ Analysis: Central Michigan has made some timely shots, especially 3-pointers, and they have been huge in a low-scoring game. BGSU continues to stay within striking distance, though.
SECOND HALF
■ What happened: BGSU finally figured out how to knock off Central Michigan.
After losing both regular season meetings in overtime, the No. 5 seed Falcons closed the deal to beat the No. 4 Chippewas.
BGSU (20-12) earned its first MAC tournament win since 2019 and will face No. 8 Kent State at 5 p.m. Friday.
■ Analysis: A scrappy and gritty BGSU team made several huge shots offensively, swatted timely blocks defensively, and connected on its free throws to pull out the win.
“Next round brother.” ????@BGSUMBB | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/krdodp0Qjc
— #MACtion (@MACSports) March 14, 2024
First Published March 14, 2024, 6:12 p.m.
