Bowling Green State University
Detroit Mercy
BGSU Drops Season Opener at Detroit-Mercy, 75-61
November 23, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2002
Detroit, Mich. - The University of Detroit-Mercy began the game on a 9-0 run against visiting Bowling Green Saturday night and went on to post a 75-61 win over the Falcons at Calihan Hall. It was the season-opener for both teams.
Terrell Riggs scored 13 of his 20 points in the first half for UDM while the Falcons shot just 25.9 percent (7-of-27) from the field in the first 20 minutes. The Titans held a 35-24 lead at halftime.
Four of BGSU's first seven field goals in the second half were 3-pointers and helped the Falcons cut into the UDM lead. After two Cory Eyink free throws at 8:22 in the second half, BGSU trailed by just six points, 54-48. However, the Titans went on to outscore BGSU 29-13 over the final eight minutes of the game for the final 14-point decision.
"The pace surprised us in the first half and we settled down in the second half," said BGSU coach Dan Dakich. "I give them (UDM) a lot of credit. We had to work hard to get anything going."
Sophomore John Reimold led the Falcons with 14 points (11 in the second half), including a game-high three 3-pointers. Cory Ryan (12) and Josh Almanson (10) were the other BGSU players in double figures. UDM's Willie Green led all scorers with 22 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
UDM shot 52.4 percent (22-or-42) for the game, including over 61 percent in the second half. BGSU was 20-of-57 from the field (35.1 percent) for the game. The Titans were 27-of-39 from the free-throw line while BGSU made 15-of-19 attempts at the charity stripe.
BGSU (0-1) returns to action next Saturday, Nov. 30, when it hosts Tiffin University in the Falcon home opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at BGSU's Anderson Arena.
