Bowling Green State University
MIAMI (OH)
Falcons Slip Past RedHawks, 51-48
March 01, 2003 | Men's Basketball
March 1, 2003
BOWLING GREEN (AP) - Kevin Netter scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half as Bowling Green rallied from a four-point first-half deficit to beat Miami of Ohio 51-48 on Saturday.
Netter was 6-of-8 from the field and 10-of-14 from the foul line and led the Falcons (11-14, 7-9 Mid-American Conference) with eight rebounds.
The Falcons outscored Miami (13-12, 11-5) 27-11 in the first 13:46 of the second half to take a 44-33 lead. Miami pulled to within 48-47 with 13 seconds left, but Gene Seals missed a free throw that would have tied the game and Cole Magner sealed the game with two free throws with a second remaining after tracking down and stealing an errant RedHawk pass.
"When you are a competitive kid like Cole is, you find yourself in the position to make plays," said BGSU coach Dan Dakich, who earned his 100th career victory with the Falcons. "I don't think there is any question that he changed the outcome of this game."
Magner came off the bench and scored a career-high eight points and added career-bests with eight rebounds and six steals. His three-pointer with 17:00 left in the game pulled the Falcons to within one at 23-22 and his next triple with 15:44 left gave BGSU its biggest lead of the game at that point, a 28-23 advantage.
Bowling Green shot 57 percent from the field in the second half, 9-of-16, while holding Miami to 35 percent, 8-of-23. Both teams made just six baskets in the first half with Bowling Green shooting 38 percent to 33 percent for Miami.
Chet Mason scored 14 points to lead Miami. He had eight points in the first half to help the RedHawks take their biggest lead of the game, 21-14, with 1:54 to go.
Juby Johnson scored nine points and Josh Hausfeld had eight for Miami. John Reimond had nine points for Bowling Green.
The win also snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Falcons. "Their need for a win was bigger than ours and I think that is what got them the win," said Miami Coach Charlie Coles. "This time of year, you can't dwell too long on a win or a loss."
BGSU closes out the MAC season with home games against Eastern Michigan (March 6) and Toledo (March 8).
"I thought our kids really battled and competed today," added Dakich.
