Bowling Green State University Athletics
Western Carolina Tops Bowling Green 56-50
November 11, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2005
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Antonio Russell scored 21 points and Western Carolina held on after blowing most of an 18-point second-half lead to beat Bowling Green 56-50 on Thursday night in the season-opener for both teams.
Corey Muirhead added 12 points and 15 rebounds for Western Carolina, which led 31-18 at halftime and 49-31 with 8:13 to play. Bowling Green then scored 19 of the next 22 points to get to 52-50 with 1:32 left, but Kyle Greathouse made a free throw with 1:30 to play, Troy Hopkins made two with 56 seconds left and the victory was secured.
Matt Lefeld led Bowling Green with 14 points, Martin Samarco had 12 and John Floyd had 10. The Falcons lost despite holding Western Carolina under 29 percent shooting.
The game was the second of six in the NABC Classic featuring four teams in a round-robin format that ends Sunday. Host Virginia Tech beat Radford in the opener, 80-50.
The tournament resumes Saturday with the Hokies playing Bowling Green and Radford meeting Western Carolina.
