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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
BALL STATE
Falcons Fall To Ball State
February 02, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 2, 2000
Muncie, Ind. -
The Bowling Green State University men's basketball team saw its record fall to 15-5 after losing a 71-61 decision at Ball State Wednesday night. With the loss, BG dropped to 7-3 in loop action.
Except for two early leads (2-0 and 5-4), Ball State led the entire first half building as much as an 11-point cushion (26-15) at the 5:11 mark. Ball State built the lead on the strength of an 11-1 run during which Brian Burns scored all six of his points for the evening.
But, the Falcons would make their move at the end of the first half - scoring the last six points - to close the gap to four points (31-27) at the break, and to start the second half - scoring the first nine points - to take a 36-31 lead a the 15:21 mark.
BG still led by six points (47-41) at the 9:36 mark, when the Cardinals took control.
A 9-4 run gave them the lead at 50-49 with 6:50 remaining. After the Falcons tied the score at 53-all with 5:40 left, six straight points put Ball State ahead to stay at 59-53 with 4:51 left.
Five points would be as close as the Falcons would get down the stretch as Ball State, converted its last eight free throws to secure the victory.
The Falcons only had three players find the scoresheet in the first half, but Len Matela kept the Falcon in the game with 18 points and six rebounds in the first 20 minutes hitting eight-of-nine shots from the field. Anthony Stacey added seven points and four rebounds in the first half.
Matela took game scoring (24) and rebounding (16) honors. His rebounding total matched his career high. He hit 11-of-16 shots from the floor playing all 40 minutes. Stacey was the only other Falcon in double digits with 15 points while adding eight rebounds, also in 40 minutes of action.
BG was guilty of 20 turnovers in the game, half as many as Ball State.
