Bowling Green State University Athletics
Women's Basketball Downs Akron, 84-65
January 03, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Sophomore Kim Griech scored a career-high 18 points to pace the Bowling Green State University women's basketball team to an 84-65 win over the University of Akron Wednesday night (Jan. 3). The game, the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools, was held at BGSU's Anderson Arena.
It was a cold, windy night in Bowling Green, and the Falcons were just as frigid indoors at the game's outset. BGSU made just one of the first 16 shots of the night, for a percentage of .063. At that point, the Falcons trailed by only five points, at 8-3.
The Falcons (5-7 overall, 1-0 MAC) had more success the rest of the way, going 9-of-17 for the remainder of the first half (.529) and 17-of-37 (.459) in the second half.
BGSU took the lead for good with 6:38 left before the intermission. After a steal by freshman Kelly Kapferer, junior Francine Miller hit a three-point field goal at the other end, giving the Brown and Orange a 24-23 advantage. The Falcons hit six treys in each half, going 12-of-30 from long distance on the night.
The Falcons led by six points, 40-34, at the half, and quickly extended the margin to 10 points in the second half. UA cut the deficit to six points moments later, but a trey by junior Dana Western gave the hosts a nine-point lead at the 16:46 mark.
After Akron's Sierra Cooper split a pair of free throws with 14:32 left, freshman Emily Pohl hit a triple to push the lead to 11 points (50-39) just 10 seconds later. UA's Jamie Scott hit a basket, but Falcon freshman Pam Brown answered with a bucket of her own, and the visitors never got within single digits again.
Griech's 18 points came on 7-of-13 shooting, including a 4-of-8 performance from behind the arc. The Falcons, despite the slow start, had a better shooting percentage than the Zips (2-10, 0-1 MAC). BGSU shot .386 from the field to UA's .355.
The Falcons actually shot better from three-point land (.400) than from inside the arc (15-of-40, .375). UA went 4-of-18 from long range (.222).
Griech, coming off the bench for the first time in six games, also had six assists, three rebounds and three steals in 20 minutes.
Senior Angie Farmer, still getting back into playing shape after missing five games due to injury, had 16 points in just 14 minutes of action. She was successful in getting to the free-throw line, and in converting her chances once she got there. Farmer made all 10 of her charity tosses, and added a pair of treys.
Two other Falcons were in double digits, as Western and Brown had 10 points apiece. Miller, who also missed five contests due to injury, had nine points and a game-high five steals in 22 minutes of action.
Senior Afra Smith had six points and a team-best seven rebounds, as the Falcons held a 43-42 advantage in that department. BGSU also won the turnover category, losing the ball 17 times to the Zips' 22.
Freshman Lindsay Austin had a season-best seven assists on the night.
For the visitors, Jamie Scott had 13 points and a game-best 10 rebounds, while Julie McDivitt added 12.
The Falcons improved their record to 29-1 in the all-time series with Akron. BGSU is a perfect 15-0 in home games against the Zips.
BGSU will return to action Saturday afternoon (Jan. 6), heading to Athens to take on Ohio University in a 3:00 p.m. contest. The Falcons return home for Tuesday's (Jan. 9) game against Central Michigan University, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m.
