Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
MIAMI (OH)
Falcon Comeback Falls Short Against Miami
January 20, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2009
Final Stats
Clements Postgame Press Conference Audio
Miller Postgame Press Conference Audio
Coach Orr Postgame Press Conference Audio
Bowling Green, Ohio - The Bowling Green men's basketball team cut a 15-point second half deficit to one but Miami converted a three-point play with 1:57 to play that helped the RedHawks defeat the Falcons 67-60 Tuesday night in Anderson Arena.
Bowling Green employed a zone press that forced numerous Miami turnovers as the Falcons chopped away at a 46-31 deficit with 14:13 to play. Up to that point, the RedHawks had committed just three turnovers on the evening but Miami had eight the rest of the way.
Nate Miller, who scored a game-high 17 points, got the comeback started with a lay-up and Scott Thomas followed with a steal that was converted into a lay-up by Darryl Clements. The Falcons eventually got the deficit back to single digits on a pair of Marc Larson free-throws that made it 52-44 with 9:10 to go.
Miller converted a three-point play with 7:58 left and then knocked down a three-pointer with 7:14 to go to make it 52-50. Miami pushed the lead back to six points but Clements scored on a lay-up with 3:57 to go and Miller made another three-pointer with 3:01 left as Bowling Green got within one at 58-57.
With the game teetering, Miami's Michael Bramos missed a three-pointer, but Antonio Ballard corralled the offensive rebound and Tyler Dierkers scored inside and was fouled. His three-point play pushed the lead back to four and the Falcons were unable to get any closer.
The pressure defense almost helped Bowling Green overcome a strong shooting night from Miami. Despite a 5-for-13 performance from leading scorer Michael Bramos, the RedHawks shot 54 percent for the game, including 56 percent in the second half.
BGSU used 11 offensive rebounds to convert 13 second-chance points and hold a 30-28 rebounding edge. Bowling Green shot 43 percent for the game and made 9-of-10 free-throws.
Miller had five rebounds, four assists and two steals to go with his 17 points, and Clements ended with 13 points and four assists. Chris Knight had seven points and 10 rebounds, eight coming in the first half and Thomas came off the bench to play 18 solid minutes with four rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Miami improves to 10-6 overall and 3-1 in the MAC East as Bowling Green falls to 8-9 overall and 1-3 in the same division. The Falcons will travel to Athens, Ohio to play Ohio University Saturday at 2 p.m.
