Bowling Green State University
EVANSVILLE
Falcons Win Season Opener, 92-87, against Evansville
November 21, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2000
Bowling Green, Ohio - Sophomore Cory Ryan scored a career-high 20 points to lead Bowling Green to a 92-87 season-opening victory at home over Evansville. Ryan, a 6-5 guard, hit seven of nine field goal attempts, including five-of-six from three-point range. The Fountain City, Indiana native scored just 16 points in 14 games as a freshman a year ago.
The Purple Aces, 0-2, jumped out to an 11-6 lead and led 26-24 with 8:11 remaining in the first half. The Falcons, who have now won 17 straight games in Anderson Arena, erupted for a 12-0 run and went into intermission with a 49-36 halftime advantage.
Junior Brandon Pardon, who finished with a career-high 13 assists in addition to having scored 15 points, and junior Keith McLeod who knocked in 12 of his 20 points, each played 38 minutes and made crucial plays in the second half to preserve the win. Evansville cut the BGSU lead to 62-58 with 13:46 remaining, but could get no closer
Junior Len Matela had 20 points and a team-high seven rebounds as the Falcons won their season opener for the third straight season. BGSU was boosted by 56.9 percent shooting, including a 60.7 mark in the second half. The Falcons also forced 22 Purple Ace turnovers.
Adam Seitz led Evansville with 20 points and Clint Keown added 17.
