Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Fall at Ball State
January 22, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 22, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
Muncie, Ind. - The following are notes after the conclusion of Saturday night's 62-61 loss at Ball State.
BGSU still leads the series 36-33.
The last three meetings between the two teams have been decided by a combined four points (BGSU is 2-1).
The Falcons suffered their second one-point loss of the MAC campaign (N. Illinois, 75-74).
The Game
The Cardinals jumped out to a 10-5 lead on a Skip Mills three-pointer with 15:35 left in the first half.
BGSU responded with a 12-0 run to take a 17-10 lead with 7:53 to go in the half.
Freshman Dusan Radivojevic hit a three-pointer with 7:05 left in the half to give BGSU a 20-12 advantage.
With 1:50 to go before intermission, Ball State's Anthony Newell hit a triple to tie the game at 23-23.
Sophomore Perrick Robinson converted on a conventional three-point play with 48 seconds left and the Falcons went into the dressing room with a 30-26 lead at halftime.
The Falcons scored the first four points of the second half and led by as many as nine at 45-36 with 10:26 left in the game when junior Martin Samarco hit a three-pointer on a pass from Radivojevic. It would be BGSU's last field goal for a stretch of 8:43.
BGSU did lead 49-45 with 7:06 to go, but the Cardinals went on a 16-3 run to take a 58-52 advantage with 3:50 to go.
The Falcons did not allow a field goal in the final 3:52.
BGSU cut the lead to 58-55 on a layup and free throw by junior Matt Lefeld with 2:44 to go.
BGSU did have one shot to tie the game in the final minutes but turned the ball over.
Two late three-pointers by Steven Wright allowed BGSU to cut the lead to 62-61 at the buzzer.
Player Notes
Wright led the Falcons with 16 points and added five rebounds and three assists. He also made three of six three-pointers. Since becoming the sixth man four games ago, he is averaging 14 points per game.
Samarco finished with 15 points and made seven of eight free throws. His miss with 4:45 to go snapped a streak of 23 straight free throws made by Samarco who lead the league in free throw percentage in MAC games only.
Radivojevic had six points, three rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes of play. He made and attempted his first free throw of the season and averaged seven points per game this week.
Freshman Brian Moten contributed four key first-half points.
Freshman Erik Marschall had six points and seven rebounds.
Lefeld had seven points and rebound.
Robinson had three points, four assists and two steals.
Team Notes
BGSU outscored the Cardinals 18-8 in the paint.
The Falcons also won the battle for fast break points, 10-2.
The Falcons bench outscored the Ball State reserves, 29-16.
