Bowling Green State University
MIAMI (OH)
Falcons Unable To Clinch MAC Title With Overtime Loss To Miami
March 05, 2009 | Men's Basketball
March 5, 2009
Oxford, Ohio - The Bowling Green men's basketball team battled back from an 11-point second-half deficit, got a buzzer beating three-pointer from freshman Scott Thomas to force overtime, and had a career rebounding night from senior Nate Miller, but the Falcons lost to Miami on the road 50-45 Thursday night. Combined with Kent State's overtime victory against Buffalo, a win would have clinched a share of the conference championship and the No. 1 seed for the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Instead of celebrating the team's first division title since 2000, Bowling Green tasted defeat on the road for the first time in seven games. The Falcons will now look for help to clinch the No. 1 seed for the MAC Tournament, needing to beat Ohio Sunday on senior day and needing Buffalo to defeat Miami at home on the same day. A win over Ohio and a Miami win would give the Falcons either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed for the conference tournament, depending on Akron's result against Kent State. A loss would likely mean a drop out of the top four in the conference, losing the opportunity to gain a bye through the opening round. Buffalo, Bowling Green, Miami and Akron all head into the final game of the season tied for first in the division.
Bowling Green held Miami to 33 percent shooting for the game and kept the RedHawks' leading scorer, Michael Bramos, in check for much of the night, especially early. Bramos had just three points at the half but finished with 23, hitting three three-pointers during the stretch of the second half in which Miami built an 11-point lead.
Bramos' final long range shot gave the RedHawks a 34-23 lead with 10:55 to play but the Falcons came up with one of their best defensive stretches of the season, holding Miami scoreless for more than nine minutes. Miller scored five points and Otis Polk added four as the Falcons closed within two at 34-32. Darryl Clements put BGSU on top with a three-pointer and Joe Jakubowski added a lay-up that gave the Falcons a 37-34 lead with 2:57 to go.
Just as Bowling Green looked in control, Miami came back with six straight to take a 40-37 lead late. The Falcons got possession back with eight seconds remaining in regulation and Darryl Clements found Thomas at the top of the key for an open three-pointer and the freshman knocked it down as the horn sounded to send the game to overtime.
Although momentum was clearly in Bowling Green's favor, Miami scored the first five points of the extra session and never looked back. Miller connected on a three-point play midway through the overtime to cut the deficit to two but Bramos made 5-of-6 free-throws down the stretch to get the win.
Miller posted his fourth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, and five steals. No other player scored in double-figures but Thomas came off the bench to scored eight and grab four rebounds.
Miami improves to 17-11 overall and 10-5 in conference with the win, while BGSU falls to 17-12 overall and 10-5 in conference. The Falcons host Ohio Sunday for senior day in the final game of the regular season, beginning at 2 p.m.
