Bowling Green State University
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Falcons Down Northern Illinois, 78-67
January 03, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2001
DeKALB, Illinois - Junior Keith McLeod led four players in double figures with 22 points as Bowling Green defeated Northern Illinois, 78-67, in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams. BGSU is 5-5 and 1-0, while NIU falls to 1-9 and 0-1.
The Huskies led 37-33 at halftime, but a 21-5 run to start the half, gave the Falcons a 54-42 lead with 12:54 remaining. McLeod and junior Brandon Pardon combined to score 19 of those 21 points and BGSU would never again trail. NIU would cut the lead to 63-61 with 6:24 left but the Falcon defense and timely free throw shooting sealed the victory. BGSU limited the Huskies to three-of-nine shooting down the stretch, and connected on nine-of-12 free throw attempts in the final five minutes. McLeod made his first 14 free throw attempts of the game to establish a new career high.
Senior Trent Jackson had 18 points and four steals, including back-to-back baskets late in the contest. Pardon added 16 points and five assists. BGSU shot 61 percent from the field in the second half. Junior Len Matela led BGSU with 14 rebounds.
The Falcons return home for Saturday's (Jan. 6) contest vs. Central Michigan. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Anderson Arena.
