Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
AKRON
Falcons Earn Important Win Over Akron
January 29, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 29, 2000
Bowling Green, Ohio -
The Bowling Green State University men's basketball team posted an important win over East Division rival Akron Saturday afternoon at Anderson Arena by a score of 88-77.
With the win, BG improves to 15-4 overall and 7-2 in the MAC while Akron, who came into the game in first place in the East, dropped to 14-6 and 8-3.
The Falcons shot 78.9% (15-of-19) from the field in the second half to earn the victory, their 12th-straight at home.
Ahead 36-32 at the break after a 7-2 run to close the half, Bowling Green never lost the lead in the second half, although Akron tied the game on five occasions in the first three minutes of the second half.
A Ryan Andrick lay up at the 16:53 mark forged the fifth tie of the early moments of the second half. Five straight points by Dave Esterkamp put the Falcons ahead for good.
Akron got back within one point at 50-49 at the 14:28 mark, but the Falcons again scored five unanswered points to take a six-point lead at 55-49 at the 13:59 mark.
BG slowly built the lead to double digits taking a 73-62 lead at the 5:56 mark after five straight points.
From there, eight points would be as close as Akron would get with the Falcons leading by double figures for most of the last five minutes.
BG convereted their last 11 free throws in the final three minutes of the game to secure the victory. BG, 14th in the country in free throw percentage, was 33-of-39 from the line in the game.
Esterkamp tied his career high with 28 points and added eight rebounds hitting 10-of-13 shots from the field. Anthony Stacey added 21 points and Keith McLeod contributed 18 markers. Esterkamp and McLeod combined for eight points in BG's loss at Kent on Wednesday night.
Brandon Pardon came off the bench to add 10 assists in 35 minutes.
