Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Face Tough Test From Visting Marist
November 30, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 30, 2001
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MARIST(4-1) AT BOWLING GREEN (4-1) 1 p.m., Saturday, December 1, Anderson Arena (4,600) Series Record: Marist leads 1-0 Last Meeting: at Marist 86, BGSU 69 (12/16/00) Radio: WBVI-FM (96.7) Internet: bgsufalcons.com/wbvi.comFALCONS CONCLUDE HOMESTAND
The Falcons conclude a three-game homestand against Marist. BGSU won its ninth consecutive home opener, and fifth under Dan Dakich, when it defeated Defiance, 107-80, on Saturday. Wednesday night, the Falcons knocked off Michigan, 65-59, giving them three straight wins at home aginst the Big Ten since 1990. Since the 1998-99 season, BGSU is 36-6 in Anderson Arena, including a 12-0 mark in 1999-2000. The Falcons are the 12th-highest rated mid-major program by collegeinsider.com.
FALCONS LOOK FOR BETTER RESULTS AGAINST MARIST
Perhaps no performance was more disappointing to BGSU Coach Dan Dakich that last year's Falcon effort at Marist. Coach Dave Magarity's team defeated BGSU, 86-69 behind the leadership of guard Sean Kennedy who finished with 11 points, 10 assists and four steals. In the game, Marist knocked home 10 three-pointers and the Falcons committed 20 turnovers.
THE RED FOXES
Marist is 4-1 after defeating Lafayette, 86-80, in Bethlehem, Pa., Thursday night. Kennedy is averaging 15.8 points and 6.6 assists and the squad is averaging 8.8 three-point field goals per game. Marist was 17-13 a year ago and finished fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. They are picked to finish fifth this year in the MAAC.
FALCONS AGAINST MICHIGAN
The Falcons are coming off an exciting 65-59 win over Michigan in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 4,700 at Anderson Arena. The Falcons rallied from a five-point deficit with 3:15 remaining and outscored the Wolverines, 12-1. from that point on. BGSU also trailed by 10 points in the first half.
S-MAC-KED
With wins over teams from the SEC (Ole Miss) and Big Ten (Michigan), BGSU has played its part in enhancing the reputation of the MAC. Conference members also have posted wins over alleged power conference programs from the Big 12 (Kansas), PAC-10 (UCLA) and A-10 (Duquesne) in the first three weeks of the season.
NO MORE ROOM AT THE INN
Wednesday night's standing-room-only crowd (4,736) against Michigan was the seventh sellout crowd in Anderson Arena to watch the Falcons during the five-year tenure of coach Dan Dakich.
Top Anderson Arena Crowds since 1997-98 (*sellout) November 28, 2001-Michigan (4,736)* February 20, 1999-Miami (4,712)* February 26, 2001-Toledo (4,706)* January 15, 2000-Toledo (4,640)* January 29, 2000-Akron (4,632)* February 16, 2000-Kent State (4,620)* February 19, 2000-Eastern Michigan (4,612)* January 23, 1999-Ohio (4,182) February 20, 2001-Kent State (4,057) January 19, 2000-Miami (4,050) February 7, 1998-Ball State (4,025)
KEITH AND LENNY
The top returning scoring duo in the MAC stepped up in the closing minutes in the Falcons win against Michigan. Seniors Keith McLeod and Len Matela combined to score 13 of the team's final 15 points against the Wolverines. McLeod scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half and added a career-high nine assists, while Matela had eight of his 14 points and four of his six rebounds in the final five minutes.
ERIK CRAWFORD
Freshman Erik Crawford will likely be a candidate for MAC Defensive Player of the Year before his career at BGSU is over. He certainly has made an early season statement when he held Michigan's leading scorer, Gavin Groninger (16.7 ppg.), scoreless in the Falcons win over U-M. He also matched his season-high with nine points and five rebounds in his fourth start of the season. He has started four of five games for BGSU this season. He was twice named the Minnesota High School Defensive Player of the Year as a prep at Tartan High School near St. Paul.
DAN DAKICH MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Coach Dan Dakich will host a media luncheon each Monday at noon in Anderson Arena. The only time they won't meet on Monday will be when the team is playing that evening. The Falcons Nest with Dan Dakich Radio Show can be heard at 6:30 p.m. each Monday from Fricker's in Bowling Green on WBVI-FM 96.7 and on the internet at WBVI.com. Falcon Basketball with Dan Dakich will be televised each Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. on Fox Sports Ohio beginning Saturday, January 5. All other interviews should be arranged through J.D. Campbell by calling (419) 372-7075.
HOT SHOTS
The Falcons set a school and MAC record by draining their first 10 three-point field goal attempts in the 107-80 win against Defiance. Junior Cory Ryan hit five, senior Brandon Pardon nailed three, and sophomore Josh Almanson and freshman Kris Wilson each hit one. Ryan led the Falcons, who shot 61.7 from the field and 75.0 from the line, with 18 pointsin the win. For the season, BGSU is shooting 54.0 from the floor and 50.8 from long distance.
GRINDING IT OUT
Three times this season, the Falcons have been tested in the final minutes and either rallied from a deficit or pulled away from a tie game and earned a victory.
Ole Miss-Len Matela made a layup with 12 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.
Delaware-Keith McLeod hit a jumper with 2:10 remaining to break a one tie and hit two free throws with 42 seconds to put the Falcons up for good.
Michigan-Trailing by five with 3:15 left, Erik Crawford hits two free throws with 2:31 to tie the game, Matela hits a layup with 1:40 left and then McLeod drains a three-pointer with 29 seconds to give BGSU a five-point lead.
ANOTHER TELEVISION APPEARANCE
The final two minutes of Wednesday's game against Michigan were seen live nationally on ESPN. The game was televised by ESPN Regional and shown locally on Fox-Toledo 36 and ESPN Full Court. The December 22 game with Detroit also will be televised in the same manner.
