Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
MIAMI (OH)
Men's Hoops Works Overtime For Road Win
February 03, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 3, 2001
OXFORD, Ohio - Junior Len Matela scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Bowling Green State University men's basketball team recorded a 67-63 overtime victory on the road against Miami University Saturday afternoon (Feb. 3). The Mid-American Conference game was held at MU's Millett Hall.
The Falcons, now 8-10 overall and 4-5 in the MAC, led for much of regulation, but trailed by a 58-56 margin after Alex Shorts gave the RedHawks (10-12, 6-5 MAC) the lead with 16 seconds left. BGSU tied the score with a pair of Matela free throws with eight seconds remaining, forcing the extra session.
In overtime, the hosts led by a 63-60 margin when Matela tied the score 2:13 left. Matela converted a conventional three-point play to knot the score, and the game remained tied for nearly two minutes.
BG took the lead on a free throw by junior Keith McLeod with 34 seconds left, and two more charity tosses by McLeod gave the Falcons a 66-63 advantage with just 10 ticks on the clock.
After the RedHawks misfired on a potential game-tying three-point shot, Falcon sophomore Cory Ryan was fouled with just three seconds remaining. His free throw provided the final margin.
For the Falcons, McLeod joined Matela in double digits with 15 points, 11 of those from the foul line (in 12 attempts). Senior Trent Jackson had 13 points in the contest, while both Ryan and junior Brandon Pardon had eight points.
Pardon, who played all 45 minutes, had seven assists, and tied Jackson for game honors with four steals. Matela also played every minute of the contest.
Shorts led the RedHawks with 21 points, while Jason Grunkemeyer added 15.
The game featured 11 ties and 20 lead changes. Miami shot an even 50 percent from the floor, while the Falcons shot .479 for the game.
The Brown and Orange will play a Wednesday (Feb. 7) contest at Ohio University, with the contest scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.
