Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Denison
Falcons Win Season Opener Against Denison, 89-52
November 11, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2006
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Bowling Green, Ohio - Four players scored in double figures and 11 Falcons saw 11 minutes or more of action as BGSU defeated Denison, 89-52, in their 2006-07 season opener.
Senior Martin Samarco scored 15 points, all in the first half, and sophomore Brian Moten had a career-high 15 to lead four BGSU players in double figures.
Sophomore Erik Marschall had 13 points and freshman Ryan Sims, making his first collegiate start, added 12.
The Falcons never trailed in the game and took the lead for good on a three-pointer by junior Ryne Hamblet with 17:14 left in the first half. BGSU would shoot 60.5% in the first 20-minute period and took a 52-26 lead into the locker room.
The Falcons would use the three-ball in the second half knocking home six and built a lead as big as 43 at on a conventional three-point play by Sims with 6:07 to go.
BGSU will hit the road for the only time this month on Thursday when they visit Arkansas State. The Falcons will return to Anderson Arena for the first of five straight home games when they battle Furman on November 19.
Today's game was in honor of two young men from Bowling Green who joined the Falcons this week as part of the Make-A-Wish program. Twins Ryan and Colin MacRitchie were guests of the Falcons and joined BGSU on the bench.
Game Notes
Three players made their first career start for the Falcons. Junior Ryne Hamblet, sophomore Dusan Radivojevic, and freshman Ryan Sims.
In addition to setting a career-high in points, Moten had new career-bests for minutes played (26), and field goals made (6). His 11 shot attempts tied his career-best (11 last year against Central Michigan).
Seven different Falcons knocked down three-pointers. Sims led the way making three of four long distance calls. He hit four of five from the field overall.
Hamblet had eight points, eight assists and three steals.
Sophomore Darryl Clements had eight points and set career-high's in assists (5) and steals (3).
BGSU made all eight of its free throw attempts.
The Falcons are now 6-4 in season openers under Dan Dakich.
BGSU is 10-0 in home openers under Coach Dakich.
BGSU is 31-5 against non-conference opponents at home during Dakich's tenure.
Sophomore Brian Guerin tied his career-high with three points. His 20 minutes of action was the most playing time he has ever gotten.
Senior Matt Lefeld had six points, two steals and five boards in 13 minutes, while Radivojevic added five points, two assists and two steals.
Freshmen Marc Larson and Otis Polk scored their first career baskets for BGSU. Larson had two points, three boards and two blocks. Polk chipped in two points, four rebounds and two assists.
The victory was the 144th in Dakich's career, putting him just two behind John Weinert for fourth place on the BGSU all-time win list.
Post Game Quotes
BGSU Coach Dan Dakich
"I thought we were much improved over the game on Wednesday, which is what I was looking for."
"I thought we started off slow. Once we picked it up, I thought it was pretty good."
"I wanted it inside because you can always get a quick three. The only guy I want taking a quick three is Martin. We were going to have a size advantage, more big guys, so don't take the first available three, move the basketball around. Go from there."
On the Make-A-Wish Experience
"I told the guys (MacRitchie boys), run `Kansas.' Next thing I know they're asking for a pen, which is dangerous. They're drawing stuff up. Next thing I know, we're playing zone."
"These two guys have made the last couple weeks a whole lot more fun for me. When you have a forum you have to use it to help people. I want our players to learn to be better people by trying to do something for somebody else."
Ryan MacRitchie
"We were able to come out in the second half and make the lead larger."
Colin MacRitchie
"It helps that coach Dakich gets them all disciplined up and gets them in the right attitude. It was a fun time being with them on game day. I thought they did well."
Freshman Ryan Sims
"Coach told us that we needed to get into the second half with a big lead so they wouldn't come back. So when I came into the game I just tried to put some points on the board."
"With this being my first game I just wanted to bring a lot to the table."
"The main thing was to get off to a big lead, get the crowd into it. We tried to push it down inside and that allowed us to get open looks outside."."
"Every time you are in a game you just trying to make something happen, get the crowd into it, get the team into it. That's basically what got us the big lead early: coming into the game and playing good defense."
"You have to keep the game intense. Make turnovers, be all over the ball, and if you're not doing the job well, someone else is going to come in and take it."
Sophomore Brian Moten
"I saw limited action last year but I got more and more experience and I'll get more and more into the swing of things. I learn everyday, so it was good to play."
"We are trying to work on playing from the inside out, and that frees up our shooters like Dusan (Radivojevic) and (Martin) Samarco who can really knock it down."
"Matt (Lefeld) gives us some great buckets down low. And Otis (Polk) and (Marc) Larson are learning everyday."
"Everyday we are learning. Everybody's learning. You look at someone like Martin Samarco, even he learns everyday. He's the returning leading scorer of the MAC, but he's in there watching film and I'm in there watching film and we're just trying to soak up as much as we can because we know it's going to be a tough MAC season."
On the play called by Colin and Ryan
"They called a play at the end that worked for us. That little inside out play. I think I actually made a basket on that play."
On partnering with the Make-A-Wish program
"When I first heard about the idea I just thought it was great."
