Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Visit Ohio in Regular Season Finale
March 01, 2002 | Men's Basketball
March 1, 2002
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Bowling Green (22-6, 12-5) at Ohio (15-10, 10-7) 3 p.m., Saturday, March 2 The Convo (13,000) Series Record: BGSU 61-49. Last Meeting: at BGSU 80, Ohio 64 (2/6/02) Radio: WBVI-FM (96.7) Internet: bgsufalcons.com
FALCON SENIORS READY FOR STRETCH RUN
Since coming to BGSU five seasons ago, Coach Dan Dakich has molded this group of Falcons, led by seniors Brent Klassen, Keith McLeod, Brandon Pardon and Len Matela, to become one of the best ever in BGSU history. With their win over Miami, the 2001-2002 squad became the 12th team in school history to win 20 games in a season, and just the fourth since 1962. It also marked the first time since 1943-49 when BGSU had six straight 20-win seasons, that BGSU has won 20 games or more twice in three seasons. The Falcons were 22-8 in 1999-2000. In addition, with 12 conference wins, the Falcons have posted their fourth straight winning season in MAC play for the first time since BGSU had five winning MAC records from 1980-84. The Falcons 77 wins over the last four seasons is the most in school history during a similar period since BGSU won 98 games from 1946-50.
The Falcons have won eight of its last 10 games as MAC Player of the Year candidate and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Keith McLeod has set the tone with his defensive effort, and the rest of the Falcons have followed suit. BGSU is allowing 60.8 points on 36.8 percent shooting (207/561) from the field and 24.2 percent shooting (31/128) from three-point range in that span.
The Falcons have won 12 or more conference games for the third time in four seasons. Prior to coach Dakich's arrival, BGSU had won two-thirds of its conference games in a season three times in the previous 27 years. Since the 1998-99 season, BGSU has the league's second best winning percentage in MAC games (48-23, 67.6%).
With neutral site and true road games, BGSU has posted a 9-5 record. The Falcons join Kent State (11-5) and Ohio (8-6) as the only league schools with a record above .500 away from their home courts. Since February of last season, BGSU has won eight of its 12 MAC road games. With their win at Miami, the Falcons clinched a winning true road record for just the fifth time since 1963. BGSU was 7-3 in 1962-63, 7-5 in 1967-68, 6-4 in 1982-83, and 8-7 in 1999-2000, on an opponent's home floor.
Since the 1998-99 season, the Falcons have a 47-7 record in "The House That Roars", Anderson Arena, including a 30-6 ledger against the MAC. In MAC play at home this season, BGSU outscored opponents 75.5 to 60.1. The Falcons (13-1) also won 10 games or more at home for the fourth straight season.
