Bowling Green State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Visits Illinois State
December 04, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 4, 2000
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Bowling Green (2-1) at Illinois State (2-1)
8:05 p.m. (EST), Wednesday, December 6
Redbird Arena (10,200)
Series Record: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: BGSU 80, Illinois State 60 (1999)
Radio: WBVI-FM (96.7)
On the Web: www.bgsufalcons.com
FALCONS IN FOURTH SEASON UNDER DAKICH
The Falcons are in their fourth season under head coach Dan Dakich. The Falcons have won 42 of their last 61 games since February of 1999. BGSU is coming off a 22-8 campaign which saw them earn the regular season MAC Championship and a berth in the NIT. BGSU was 14-4 in the conference a season ago. The Falcons have a 17-6 record against non-conference foes in the last 23 non-MAC tilts since 1998.
FALCONS REBOUND AGAINST DUQUESNE
Paced by a 25-point, 17-rebound effort by junior Len Matela, the Falcons defeated Duquesne, 92-77, December 2. Matela's 17 rebounds marked a career-high fo the returning All-MAC performer from Merrillville, Indiana. BGSU was coming of a 91-76 road loss at UNC Wilmington earlier in the week. The Falcons opened their season with a 92-87 victory at home against Evansville.
SERIES HISTORY
This meeting will be the third in a series which began in 1982. Last year, the Falcons came away with an 80-60 triumph in Anderson Arena. In 1982, Illinois State camptured a 61-57 victory in overtime at the Illini Classic.
UP NEXT
The Falcons will host Urbana, Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
The REDBIRDS
Illinois State is 2-1 after knocking off Central Michigan on the road, 85-73. The Redbirds also lost at Kansas, 80-61 and defeated Chicago State in their home opener, 88-46.
2000-2001 NOTES
The Falcons won their season opener for the third straight year under Coach Dakich, when they defeated Evansville. The Falcons will be looking for their first road win in a Missouri Valley arena under Dakich. BGSU lost at SMS, 86-71 in 1997, and 83-75 in overtime at Northern Iowa.
The Falcons shot a season-best (for a half) 62.5 percent against Duquesne. Their 53.1 percent shooting effort was their second straight solid shooting performance at home. The Falcons shot 60.7 percent from the field in the second half and 56.9 percent for the game against Evansville. One of the top shooting teams in the country last season, BGSU eclipsed the 50 percent shooting mark, 15 times last season.
The Falcons shot 84.0 (21 of 25) from the line against the Dukes. BGSU was 5-1 in games last season in which they shot 80 percent or better from the charity stripe.
BGSU has hit 50.0 percent of its three-point tries this season making 17 of 34 attempts. They shot 57.1 percent against Evansville and 50 percent against UNC Wilmington. They topped 50 percent or better seven times from long distance last season.
The Falcons 18 of 24 shooting from the line against Evansville matched the same total they made from the charity stripe in their season opener against Jackson State last season.
BGSU forced 22 turnovers against UE which was the most they have caused since Northern Iowa committed 21 last season.
Junior Len Matela posted his 13th career double-double with his 25-point, 17 board performance against DU. He also had an 18-points, 11-rebound performance against UNCW. Against Evansville, he had 20 points, a team-best seven rebounds and two steals. One of the top shooters in the country a year ago (61.9 percent), Matela has hit 24 of 38 shots (62.5) from the field this season. He was an honorable mention All-MAC performer a year ago.
Juniors Keith McLeod scored a team-high 24 points at UNCW and scored 20 points or more in consecutive games for just the second time in his career (1999 vs. Urbana and Toledo). He also had 20 points, five rebounds and five steals in 38 minutes of action against Evansville. He was the MAC's leading three-point shooter last season and was ranked seventh in the country at 47.1 percent. He also had six assists at UNCW.
Junior Brandon Pardon had a career-high 13 assists to go along with 15 points against Evansville. He eclipsed his previous high of 11 assists which he set last year against Marshall. He has knocked down a team-best 19 of 22 free throws and is averaging 10.7 assists. He is averaging a team-high 38 minutes per game.
Sophomore Cory Ryan scored a career-high 20 points against Evansville after scoring 16 during the entire 1999-2000 season. Ryan hit seven of nine shots from the field and five of six from three-point range. His five three-point baskets tied the Falcons single-game best from last season which saw Keith McLeod hit five trey's against Northern Iowa.
Senior Trent Jackson is coming off his best game of the season with a 15-point, three steal performance. He led the team with 21 dunks and has four this season. He has made 25 career starts.
Junior forward Brent Klassen has made 12 starts during his career. He is averaging four points and two rebounds and has a team-best four blocks.
Redshirt freshman center Kevin Netter busted loose with 17 points and five rebounds in 30 minutes of action. hescored nine points and had three rebounds in 10 minutes of action against UNCW. Against Evansville, he had four points, five rebounds, one steal and one block in his first collegiate action.
Freshman Josh Almanson had two points and a rebound in his best game of the season against Duquesne.
Freshman Jabari Mattox saw his first collegiate action when he played four minutes against UNCW. He also played against Duquesne.
