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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
MICHIGAN
Men's Hoops Upends Michigan, 65-59
November 28, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Nov 28, 2001
By JOHN SEEWER
Associated Press Writer
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green coach Dan Dakich isn't sure if another Big Ten team will come in to the play Falcons.
"I could care less," said a smiling Dakich after the Falcons beat Michigan 65-59 Wednesday.
It's doubtful Michigan coach Tommy Amaker will be coming back soon after the Wolverines dropped their second straight game to a MAC school in less than a week.
"It's my first time here, and I hope I don't have to return," Amaker said after his team was outscored 12-1 over the final three minutes.
Keith McLeod scored 17 points to lead Bowling Green (4-1).
McLeod's off-balance 3-pointer from the corner put the Falcons up 63-58 with 29 seconds left and set off a wild celebration.
"I had my mind made up after I came off the ball screen that I was taking the shot," he said. "It was do or die."
Dakich admitted he looked into the stands after McLeod's shot went in.
"It was mayhem," Dakich said. "I saw every bit of it."
McLeod then sealed the victory with a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left.
The Falcons (4-1) outscored Michigan 12-1 over the final 3:15.
The Wolverines (2-2) lost last week at Western Michigan 79-73.
Defense and sloppy play dominated the second half Wednesday as both teams struggled to find any rhythm.
Bowling Green didn't get hot until McLeod started scoring in the second half.
McLeod, Bowling Green's leading scorer, struggled in the first half and didn't hit a bucket until six minutes had gone by in the second half. But that was all he needed as he made his next three shots.
His 16-foot fadeaway jump shot gave Bowling Green a 47-42 with 9:47 left.
Michigan came back behind LaVell Blanchard, who hit a jumper that gave the Wolverines a 58-53 lead with 3:15 left.
The Wolverines then started stumbling, missing three straight shots.
"I was disappointed in our patience," Amaker said. "I thought we rushed some shots."
Bowling Green's Len Matela scored twice on a pair of lay-ups, the second giving the Falcons a 60-58 lead with 1:40 to play. They never trailed after that.
Matela finished with 14 points.
Blanchard led Michigan with 17 points. Chris Young added 10.
Michigan's Gavin Groninger, who came into the game averaging 16.7 points per game, was held scoreless.
Few Big Ten teams are willing to play at Bowling Green. But Michigan didn't get rattled in the Falcons' cozy gymnasium where students sit just inches away from players on the floor.
The Wolverines opened up a 28-18 lead in the first 13 minutes. Amaker went to his bench early and reserve Dommanic Ingerson hit a pair of 3-pointers that helped push the Wolverines ahead.
Both teams struggled to score in the first half.
McLeod had just three points in the first half all from the free throw line.
Michigan appeared to be on the verge of taking control in the first half until Bowling Green went on an 8-0 run to draw within 28-26 with 3:25 to go.
"The key to the game for us was not getting blown out in the first half," McLeod said.
The Wolverines led 34-30 at the half.
Bowling Green was perfect at home against the Big Ten in 1990s, defeating Penn State in 1993 and Michigan State in 1990.
