Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
BUFFALO
Wild Ending as BGSU Falls at Buffalo
February 14, 2007 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 14, 2007
Amherst, N.Y. - The calendar said February 13, but it might has well have been January 10. That was the day that the Bowling Green State University men's basketball team used 43 points and a miracle shot from senior Martin Samarco in the final seconds to defeat Buffalo and a blistering hot Eric Moore, 74-73, in the 2007 MAC opener. Just a few weeks later, the Falcons thought they had a 77-75 triumph in Buffalo after Moore, who finished with 24 points, could not get open and a final desperation shot to tie the game by Parnell Smith fell short and time expired. Or so thought the Falcon players and coaches and one official (who signaled that the game was over in front of the team) who retreated back toward the locker room area. In addition, television cameras showed UB coach Reggie Witherspoon also was making his way off the floor.
However, two members of the officiating crew on the far side had signaled a shot clock violation and were coming over to the scorers table to see if there in fact was any time left on the clock for BGSU, which would be given possession under the UB basket.
Unfortunately, the Falcons and their staff had made the minute walk to their locker room area and were unaware a review was taking place. As each minute passed, BGSU players began undressing and only after a five to seven minute period were they made aware by officials that they had to return to the floor to finish the game.
Players jumped out of the shower, threw shoes on without socks and when they made their way back onto the floor, it was then they found the team was charged with a technical foul for delay of game. UB's Yassin Idbihi would hit two free throws and send the game into overtime, where a stunned Falcon team fell, 98-90.
"Our kids played a tremendous basketball game and I am extremely disappointed for them," said BGSU Coach Dan Dakich. "I could not have been more proud of a team as I am with our players tonight. They kept fighting and battling on every possession and gave us everything they had."
"I take total responsibility, I'm the one who is supposed to make sure (the game is over)," said Dakich. "But when I asked the referee he said the game was over. He didn't say wait a second, he didn't say hold on, he said the game was over."
The Falcons saw several bright spots in a game where they trailed for just the first 49 seconds of regulation.
Junior Ryne Hamblet had a career-high 24 points and added six rebounds and three steals in 41 minutes. Sophomore Nate Miller had the rare triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Senior Martin Samarco had 17 points and sophomore Darryl Clements had a career-high 13 points in 28 minutes. Sophomore Erik Marschall had 12 points, 10 in the second half as the Falcons scored a season-high 90 points.
BGSU will go out on the road again on Saturday to face Morehead State in a Bracket Buster pool game which begins at 5:15 p.m.
