Bowling Green State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Travels to Ball State
March 09, 2003 | Men's Basketball
March 9, 2003
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2003 First Energy MAC Men's Basketball Tournament, 1st round Bowling Green (12-15, 8-10) at Ball State (13-16, 8-10) 7 p.m., Monday, March 10 Worthen Arena (11,500) Series Record: BGSU leads 33-29. Last Meeting: at BSU 94, BGSU 73 (2/26/03) Radio: WBVI-FM (96.7)/WLQR-AM (1470) Internet: bgsufalcons.com/wbvi.com
The Bowling Green State University men's basketball team, 12-15 overall and 8-10 in the MAC, will battle Ball State, 13-16 and 8-10 in the league, in the first round of the conference tournament. The team's will be meeting in the conference tournament for the second straight year and for the fourth time in the post-season. BGSU holds a 2-1 edge in post-season matchups. BGSU won 69-57 last year in Cleveland and 79-69 in 1983 in Bowling Green. The Cardinals prevailed 72-58 in Muncie in 1985.
THE SERIES
The Falcons hold a 33-29 overall edge in the series. Each team won at home this season, with BGSU winning 61-57 on January 7 and Ball State taking home a 94-73 triumph on February 26.
WHAT'S NEXT The winner will face #1 Central Michigan on Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m., in Cleveland's Gund Arena.
FIRST ROUND
BGSU Coach Dan Dakich is 2-0 in MAC Tournament first round games having won at akron, 80-74 in overtime in 1999 and against Western Michigan at home, 74-68, in 2001.
BETTER FOR THE EXPERIENCE
No member of the BGSU men's basketball team has ever started a post-season game. The Falcons will only lose senior Cory Ryan from a team that has lost three starters due to injury and will suit up six scholarship players.
WINNING SEASON AT HOME
The Falcons finished with an 8-4 record at home, marking the 17th straight year that BGSU has had a winning home record.
IMPROVED THREE-POINT DEFENSE
In the last three games, BGSU has held opponents to 33.7% from three point range, after allowing Ball State to hit 13 of 21 for 61.9% on February 26.
HOT RON
Freshman Ron Lewis is averaging 10.9 points per game and his 293 points scored is the most registered by a freshman under Dan Dakich (Keith McLeod scored 247 points as a frosh). In addition, Lewis has averaged more minutes per game (30.5) than any previous freshman to play under Dakich with the Falcons. The last three Falcons to average more than double figures as freshmen later went on to earn MAC Player of the Year honors. Antonio Daniels averaged 12.6 points in 1994, Anthony Stacey averaged 16 points in 1996 and Keith McLeod averaged 12.4 in 1999. Lewis (4.9 rebounds) is looking to be the first freshman to lead the team in rebounding since Stacey led the Falcons in 1996. A candidate for MAC Freshman of the Year, Lewis had 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in BGSU's 73-72 win over Eastern Michigan. He also had 18 points against Toledo. He is among the MAC's best shooting 77.8% from the free throw line, including an 8/10 performance Thursday night against the Eagles. Lewis had a career-high 29 points against Ball State and made 16 of 17 free throws in that game. In the last eight games, Lewis is averaging 15.4 points. In the last four games, he is averaging 18 points per game and is shooting 69.4 from the field in the last six games.
2003 First Energy MAC Men's Basketball Tournament Monday, March 10 First round at campus sites, times 7 p.m. No. 13 Buffalo (5-22, 2-16) at No. 4 N. Ill. (15-13, 11-7) No. 12 Toledo (13-15, 7-11) at No. 5 W. Mich. (18-9, 10-8) No. 11 Ohio (12-15, 8-10) at No. 6 Akron (14-13, 9-9) No. 10 E. Mich. (14-13, 8-10) at No. 7 Marshall (13-14, 9-9) No. 9 BGSU (12-15, 8-10) at No. 8 Ball St. (13-16, 8-10)Thursday, March 13 at Gund Arena, Cleveland Game 1 - 7/10 winner vs. No. 2 Kent St. (19-8, 12-6), noon Game 2 - 6/11 winner vs. No. 3 Miami (13-14, 11-7), 2:00* Game 3 - 8/9 winner vs. No. 1 C. Mich. (21-6, 14-4), 7:00 Game 4 - 4/13 winner vs. 5/12 winner, 9:00* * or 30 minues following previous game
Friday, March 14 at Gund Arena, Cleveland Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 8:30 FOX Sports Net Regionals
Saturday, March 15 at Gund Arena, Cleveland Championship Game, 7:00, ESPN2
