Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
OAKLAND
Falcons Hold On To Defeat Oakland, 75-68
December 19, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2002
Bowling Green, Ohio - Five players scored in double figures and BGSU made its free throws when it counted most to hold on to a 75-68 win over visiting Oakland, Thursday night. BGSU is now 3-4, while the Grizzlies are 3-3.
BGSU outscored Oakland 12-0 via the fast break and 24-8 in the paint in buidling a 43-24 lead at the half. Oakland slowly chipped away at the Falcon advantage and cut the lead to 69-66 on a steal and a dunk by Rawle Marshall with 1:48 left. Junior Jabari Mattox, who had career-highs with 15 points and nine rebounds, made three out of four charity tosses and Kevin Netter added two more free throws over the next 1:15 to seal the victory.
"I really thought the aggressive team won each half, " said BGSU Coach Dan Dakich. "We were aggressive in the first half, but in the second half we played on our heels and not to lose. We were lucky to win."
Netter led the Falcons with 17 points and had a career-high 10 rebounds. Freshman Ron Lewis matched his season-best with 14 points, sophomore Cory Eyink had 11 points and a career-high eight rebounds, and senior Cory Ryan added 10 points and career-best five assists.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 3-0 at home this season and will close out finals week with a Saturday evening game against Urbana. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
"We haven't been in a game like that, " added Dakich. "When we've been up at halftime we've gone on to win big. This is a good thing we had to go through tonight."
