Bowling Green State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Gets Big Win Over Akron
February 24, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The BGSU men's basketball rallied for an 86-78 victory over the Akron Zips on Saturday. Trailing by four, 59-55, midway through the second half, the Falcons went on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes. The run was keyed by baskets by Brandon Pardon and Keith McLeod, and two big three-pointers by Cory Ryan. BG was able to hold on for the victory with good free throw shooting down the stretch, making 11 of 12 in the final 5:55.
Leading the way for the Falcons was Len Matela, who put in another solid performance. He led five Falcons in double-figures with 20 points and added nine rebounds and five assists. Keith McLeod added 19 for the Falcons. Brandon Pardon (15) , Trent Jackson (14), and Cory Ryan (11) were the other players who scored more than ten points.
"I'm happy as heck to win, but we can't get too excited," said BGSU Coach Dan Dakich. "We have an NBA-type schedule the rest of the way." The Akron game began a stretch which will see the Falcons play five games in a 10-day span.
Akron was led in scoring by Andre Sims, who came off the bench to score 25 points. The Zips erased an 11-point first-half deficit and led 55-48 with 15:23 left in the game. Akron now drops to 11-14 overall with a 8-8 MAC record. With the win, the Falcons improve their record to 13-11 overall and 9-6 in the MAC. They also have won seven of their past eight contests. Bowling Green will next be in action on Monday night at 8:00 p.m., when they host the arch-rival Toledo Rockets.
"I thought toughness played a part in our ability to win, " Dakich added. "Keith McLeod showed a great deal of toughness and leadership at the end and Brandon Pardon did a great job with a couple of big steals at the end."
