Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Michigan Tech
Falcon Defense Leads Way With 58-46 Win Over Michigan Tech
December 27, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 27, 2006
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GREEN BAY, Wisc. - Junior Ryne Hamblet had 18 points and a career-high 11 rebounds and senior Martin Samarco added 16 points, but the Falcons defensive pressure was the key as BGSU defeated Michigan Tech, 58-46, in the Oneida Casino Holiday Classic in Green Bay, Wisconsin. BGSU has now won seven of its last eight to improve to 8-3, while Michigan Tech is now 6-5.
"I thought we played really well defensively with the exception of two stretches in the second half," said BGSU Coach Dan Dakich. "I told our guys I don't care what the score is, I was us to go."
BGSU will play Jacksonville State at 6 p.m. (Eastern) on Friday.
The Falcons limited the Huskies to just 28.6 percent shooting and entred the game allowing a league-leading 39.1 field goal percentage defense. BGSU led 29-14 at halftime thanks to an 18-0 advantage off the bench. Hamblet and junior Dusan Radivojevic each came off the sideline to score eight point first half points.
"Coach wants the ball picked up full court the whole game," said Hamblet. "He wants 40 minutes of pressure basketball."
The Falcons led 34-16 with 17:08 to go, but saw Michigan Tech score the next nine points over a four-minute stretch. Hamblet then stepped up and nailed back-to-back three-pointers to start at 12-0 run which had BGSU leading 46-25 with 8:23 to go.
Without Hamblet hitting those big shots, the game might have been very different," said Dakich.
Samarco and Nate Miller began to get hot and BGSU built a 56-32 advantage with 3:43 remaining.
It doesn't matter if my shot's not falling, said Samarco. "My teammates have faith in me and I've got faith in them."
After the Falcons emptied their bench, MTU scored the next nine points but could get no closer than the final margin.
"We didn't play well as a team," added Samarco. Coach always preaches that we have to play for 40 minutes. We need to execute on offense better."
Post Game Notes
Hamblet had his first career double-double. His 11 rebounds are the most by a Falcon this season. All of his boards were on the defensive end.
BGSU had just four turnovers, the fewest ever by a Dan Dakich coached team.
BGSU improved to 32-3 since 2001 when holding an opponent under 60 points.
BGSU had a season-high nine blocked shots.
The 46 points allowed and 14 first half points was the best defensive effort for the Falcons this season.
BGSU has made 21 of 42 three pointers in the last two games.
Freshmen Otis Polk and Marc Larson and senior Matt Lefeld each had two.
BGSU hit 10 of 21 three-pointers (47.6%).
BGSU made a season-low six free throws.
Sophomore Brian Moten made his first start of the season. He is the 11th Falcon to start this season. He made a three-pointer in the first half.
Sophomore Darryl Clements made his sixth start of the season.
Radivojevic finished with eight points and three assists.
Sophomore Nate Miller had nine points and nine rebounds. He also had three assists and two steals.
Freshman Marc Larson had two points and three offensive rebounds in addition to his two blocks.
Former BGSU running back P.J. Pope, now a member of the Green Bay Packers, watched the game behind the Falcon bench.
