Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Falcons Dial Long Distance To Win Fifth Straight
February 07, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 7, 2009
Box Score
Moten/Thomas Postgame Press Conference Audio
Coach Orr Postgame Press Conference Audio
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Brian Moten made a season-high five three-pointers and freshman Scott Thomas set a career-high with three three-pointers as the Bowling Green men's basketball team came from behind to defeat Central Michigan 67-61 Saturday night on the road.
The win was the Falcons' fifth straight, including three in a row on the road, as BGSU equaled its win total from a year ago by improving to 13-9 overall. Bowling Green is also 6-3 in the Mid-American Conference, just one win shy of last year's 7-9 MAC team.
Bowling Green battled back from an 11-point first half deficit by scoring 10 points in the final two minutes of the first half to get within five at the break. Moten knocked down his second long-range bomb of the game with just four seconds remaining to bring the Falcons within five at the half, 33-28.
Central Michigan held off any BGSU rallies over the first 10 minutes of the second half and the Chippewas led 49-44 after a Robbie Harman three-pointer with 9:17 to play. Neither team was able to dent the scoreboard over their next few possessions, but Joe Jakubowski scored on a lay-up with 7:38 to play that cut the deficit to three.
From there, the three-point exhibition commenced. Thomas tied the game with 6:31 to play before Moten and Harman exchanged long range bombs to keep the score tied at 52-52 with 5:21 to go. Thomas hit his second three-pointer 16 seconds later and then hit his third 52 seconds after that to give Bowling Green a 58-52 lead with 4:13 to play.
Central Michigan chipped away at the lead and got back within one on a pair of Marcus Van free-throws with 2:11 to play. BGSU still led 60-59 after another pair of Van free-throws but Moten hit another three-pointer in the corner, his fifth of the game, to put the Falcons on top 63-59. Jakubowski made four free-throws in the final 11 seconds to put the contest away.
Moten ended with a team-high 19 points, making 5-of-8 three-pointers. Nate Miller was overshadowed despite his second double-double in a row, finishing with 10 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals. Darryl Clements scored 13 points and Chris Knight had eight points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks in the final 35 seconds that helped BG keep Central Michigan from making a comeback.
As a team, Bowling Green shot 57 percent in the second half and held Central Michigan to 28 percent shooting to outscore the Chippewas 39-28 in the final 20 minutes. The Falcons also made 15-of-16 free-throws and outrebounded Central Michigan 36-28.
Central Michigan falls to 6-15 overall and 3-6 in MAC play. The Falcons will play on the road again Wednesday, making the short trip for a game at rival Toledo at 7 p.m.
