Bowling Green State University
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Western Michigan
It's On To Cleveland For The Men's Basketball Team
March 05, 2001 | Men's Basketball
March 5, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - It took an amazing second half effort from the Bowling Green men's basketball team to earn a victory over Western Michigan on Monday night. The Falcons were in shock after Bronco Steve Reynolds made a three-pointer from just inside midcourt to beat the halftime buzzer. Reynolds' basket capped an eight minute stretch that saw Western Michigan outscore Bowling Green 29-6, and go into the locker room leading 47-33.
Down by 14 at the half, the Falcons came out with increased energy and eventually regained the lead. With five and a half minutes remaining, a three-pointer by Brandon Pardon capped a 28-13 second half run and put the Falcons up 61-60. Western tied the game at 66 with a minute and a half left, but Bowling Green then hit eight straight free throws to seal the victory. By the end of the game, the Falcons had outscored Western Michigan by 20 points (41-21) in the second half.
Four Falcons scored at least 15 points with Keith McLeod leading the way. McLeod had a team high 18 points, including 14 in the second half. Both Brandon Pardon and Len Matela scored 16 points, each shooting 5-8 from the field. Pardon's effort included four assists and 3-3 shooting from the three-point line. Matela added 13 rebounds to his point total, which earned him his ninth double-double of the season, and second in a row. Trent Jackson chipped in 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in the win.
Bowling Green now advances to the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals at Cleveland's Gund Arena. The Falcons will play Kent State on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
The win boosts the Falcon's record to 15-13 on the season, while Western falls to 7-21.
