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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
AKRON
Falcons Fall To Zips In Semis, 63-55
March 14, 2009 | Men's Basketball
March 14, 2009
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Miller/Orr Postgame Press Conference Audio
CLEVELAND -- The Bowling Green men's basketball team was eliminated from the Mid-American Conference Tournament with a 63-55 semifinal loss to Akron Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena. The Falcons were the top seed in the tournament after winning the regular season championship, while Akron is the No. 5 seed.
Senior Nate Miller scored a career-high 27 points - 25 in the second half - but Bowling Green was outrebounded 43-26 and shot just 34 percent from the field, including 20 percent in the first half as the Falcons fell behind by double figures. No other BG player scored more than eight points.
Miller made 11-of-23 shots and 5-of-8 three-pointers, two more three-pointers than he had ever knocked down in a game before. He added three rebounds and a steal in 35 minutes.
The Falcons struggled from the opening tip, missing their first six shot attempts and folling behind by as many as 13 in the first half. Otis Polk scored on an offensive rebound and putback with 13 seconds remaining in the period to cut Bowling Green's deficit to 11 at the break, 28-17.
Miller had just two points at the break but he quickly made his presence known in the second half. He scored on a lay-up just 11 seconds into the second half and then followed with a three-pointer that forced Akron to call a timeout with a suddenly-dwindling six-point lead.
The Zips still led 40-34 with 10:38 to go when Brian Moten cut the deficit in half with a three-pointer and Scott Thomas completed a traditional three-point play to tie the score at 40-40. After an Akron turnover, Darryl Clements hit a three-pointer and the Falcons suddenly led 43-40.
Just as Bowling Green seemed to take control of the contest, Akron came right back with seven consecutive points, including a three-pointer from Brett McKnight that put the Zips back on top.
Miller scored with 4:34 to play to get the Falcons back within two but Akron scored the next six points to lead 53-45 with 3:22 to go. Miller came right back with a jumper and a three-pointer that made it 53-50 with 2:05 to go.
On Akron's next possession, Steve McNees was fouled and made 1-of-2 free-throws. Miller missed on the ensuing possession and Nikola Cvetinovic went to the line, made a pair of free-throws, and ended BG's comeback hopes.
Akron shot 43 percent for the game and made 7-of-18 three-pointers and 18-of-23 free-throws. The Zips had three players in double-figures, led by Brett McKnight's 14. Bowling Green had just six turnovers in the contest but it was not enough to overcome Akron's 17-rebound advantage.
Akron improves to 22-12 with the win and moves on to play Buffalo Saturday night at 8 p.m. for the MAC Tournament championship. Bowling Green falls to 19-13 but will receive a bid to the NIT Tournament by virtue of the Falcons' regular season conference championship. Bowling Green has not played in the NIT Tournament since 2002.
