Men's Basketball to Host UMBC in Wednesday Night Twin Bill at the Stroh

Wednesday, December 2

Bowling Green, Ohio

8:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

UMBC

Tickets

Photo by: Kara Fallon

Men's Basketball to Host UMBC in Wednesday Night Twin Bill at the Stroh

December 01, 2015 | Men's Basketball

By: by Kevin Davis, BGSU Assistant Director for Athletic Communications

GAMEDAY CENTRAL

UMBC (1-6, 0-0 America East) vs. Bowling Green (3-2, 0-0 MAC)
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015 * 8:00 p.m.
Stroh Center * Bowling Green, Ohio
BGSU Basketball Doubleheader

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The Centennial Season

STARTING FIVE
(1) This is the first-ever meeting between the BGSU Falcons and the UMBC Retrievers on the hardwood.

(2) BGSU enters play on a three-game winning streak with wins over Youngstown State (Nov. 22), at FGCU (Nov. 23) and against Urbana (Nov. 29). The Retrievers will head into Wednesday night's non-conference contest on a three-game losing streak with losses coming to Cal Poly (Nov. 22), Navy (Nov. 25) and versus Colgate (Nov. 28).

(3) In all four of the Falcons' wins this season, BGSU has had at least four players score in double figures for the contest. In the win over New Orleans in the season opener and in the road victory at FGCU, BGSU had four players in double digit points, while in the neutral site win in Florida over Youngstown State and in the most recent home win versus Urbana the Falcons had five players in double figures.

(4) Over the Falcons' current three-game winning streak, BGSU has averaged 85.7 points per game and has shot over 50 percent from the floor overall as a team. The Falcons have also shot 46.6 percent from behind the three-point line and have out-rebounded their opponents by just over 10 boards per contest.

(5) Bowling Green has scored a season-high points in each of its last two games. BGSU had a then season-high 82 points in the win at FGCU on Nov. 23, but topped that mark with a new season-high 96 points in the home win over Urbana last Sunday, Nov. 29.

(6th man) The 2015-16 is the Centennial Season for the BGSU men's basketball program, which began playing basketball in 1915-16.

SCOUTING THE UMBC RETRIEVERS
The UMBC Retrievers are 1-6 thus far this season with the lone win coming on the road at Northern Colorado, 81-72, on Nov. 21, 2015. Picked to finish seventh overall in the America East Conference Preseason Poll, UMBC returned four starters from last year's team, including second-team all-conference performer Cody Joyce. The Retrievers, who have dropped three straight contests since defeating Northern Colorado, have a trio of players averaging double digit points in Rodney Elliott (13.1 ppg), Joe Sherburne (12.6 ppg) and Joyce (10.1 ppg). UMBC is shooting just 38.5 percent from the field overall as a team on the season and are averaging 63.7 points per game. However, the Retrievers are allowing their foes to shoot 47.6 percent and score an average of 75.0 points per contest thus far this season. The Retrievers like to get to the free throw line where they are averaging 16.9 made free throws per contest, almost three more than their opponents on the year. UMBC takes care of the ball offensively committing only 11.1 turnovers per game and forcing its opponents into 14.4 turnovers per game.

FALCONS VERSUS THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND-BALTIMORE COUNTY ALL-TIME SERIES
This is the first-ever meeting between the Bowling Green State University Falcons and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers in men's basketball.

NOON WITH UMBC/BGSU CONNECTION
Kevin Noon, BGSU's Director of Basketball Operations, was once a member of the UMBC staff. Noon served for one year as the Director of Operations on UMBC and head coach Aki Thomas' coaching staff in 2013-14.

COACH'S CORNER
"I was very pleased with the way we came out and played last Sunday versus Urbana in front of our loyal fans. We played as a team on both ends of the floor and was pleased with how well our squad shared the ball with each other. There were multiple contributors and it was a full team effort. We will look to carry our momentum and teamwork into Wednesday night's game against UMBC. With the full marching band performing, our great fans and Meserve Cup challenge, the atmosphere in the Stroh Wednesday night should be electric."

FALCON MARCHING BAND NIGHT
On Wednesday night, Dec. 2, both the BGSU women and men's basketball teams will host a Falcon Marching Band Night in which the entire Falcon Marching Band will play at both games of the basketball doubleheader at the Stroh Center. The BGSU women's basketball team will tip-off the night with a non-conference game versus Evansville on Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The men's team will host the University of Maryland-Baltimore County at 8 p.m. in non-conference play.

UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
BGSU will wrap up its three-game home stand on Saturday, Dec. 5, versus Drake at 4 p.m. ET inside the Stroh Center. This is a return game for the Bulldogs, as the Falcons opened up last year at Drake with a 77-58 win on Nov. 15, 2014 in Des Moines, Iowa.

A FALCON WIN WOULD MEAN ....
The Falcons would improve to 5-2 overall on the season.
* Give BGSU a four-game winning streak, its longest of the season.
* Put the Falcons at 3-1 at home this season in the Stroh Center.
* BGSU would tip-off the month of December at 1-0.
* Bowling Green would move to 1-0 all-time versus UMBC.

LAST TIME OUT - BGSU 96, URBANA 55 (NOV. 29)
BGSU dished out a season-high 25 assists and shot a season-best 55.7 percent from the floor overall to score a season-high 96 points in a 96-55 rout of the Urbana Blue Knights on Sunday afternoon in the Stroh Center. The game was part of 2015 Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic the multi-team event. The Falcons had five players score in double figures and shot 34-of-61 (55.7 percent) from the field overall in the win. BGSU also shot a season-best 63.6 percent (14-of-22) and hit a season-high 14 three-pointers in the victory, while also outscoring Urbana 32-12 in points in the paint. BGSU had 25 assists on 34 made field goals for the game compared to just 11 turnovers. The Orange and Brown defense held Urbana to just 31.3 percent (20-of-64) shooting overall and forced the Blue Knights into 13 turnovers, which led to 19 BGSU points. Bowling Green used a 9-0 run in the first half, which jump-started a 20-4 surge by the home team to close the opening half, and a 15-0 sprint to open up the second half to put the game out of reach.

PARKER RECOGNIZED BY COLLEGE SPORTS MADNESS (NOV. 30)
Senior forward Spencer Parker was named the Madness Mid-American Men's Basketball Player of the Week on Nov. 30 by College Sports Madness (www.collegesportsmadness.com) for his strong week of play in which he led the Falcons to a 2-0 overall record with wins at FGCU and at home versus Urbana. The 6-7 forward led BGSU with an average of 18.5 points per game on 62.5 percent shooting from the field overall and 83.3 percent shooting from the free throw line. He posted a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds versus FGCU and followed that performance up with 15 points and six boards in only 19 minutes of action in the blowout win versus Urbana.

POINTS ON THE UP AND UP
BGSU has seen its points total on the up and up over its current three-game winning streak. The Falcons scored 79 points in a win over Youngstown State on Nov. 22 in Fort Myers, Fla. Bowling Green then totaled 82 points in a road win at FGCU the following night, Nov. 23, and most recently poured in a season-high 96 points against Urbana last time out on Nov. 29.

DROPPING DIMES
The Falcons have played unselfishly over the last three games, all of which have been BGSU wins. Coach Huger's squad as a team has passed out 53 assists over the last three games, an average of 17.7 assists per contest. BGSU totaled 19 assists versus Youngstown State on Nov. 22 and then dished out a season-high 25 assists against Urbana on Nov. 29.

SHARING THE WEALTH
The Falcons have shared the wealth in all four of their wins this season in terms of the scoring load. BGSU has had four players or more score in double figures in all four wins for the Falcons this season. BGSU had four players score in double digit points in the home win over New Orleans on Nov. 14 and in the road win at FGCU on Nov. 23. The Falcons also had five different players score in double figures in the neutral site win over Youngstown State on Nov. 22 in Fort Myers, Fla. and again in the home win over Urbana on Nov. 29 at the Stroh Center.

SHARP SHOOTING FALCONS
BGSU has five players shooting over 39 percent from behind the three-point line this season. Matt Fox and David Joseph are both 5-of-10 (50 percent) from long range on the year, while JD Tisdale is 1-of-2 from behind the three-point line. Wes Alcegaire (42.3 percent) and Zack Denny (39.3 percent) are tied for the team lead with 11 treys overall.

79 - THE MAGIC NUMBER
The Falcons have reached 79 or more points in all four wins this season. BGSU had 79 points in the season opening win over New Orleans on Nov. 14 and then poured in 79 points again in the victory over Youngstown State in Florida on Nov. 22. Coach Huger's squad then surpassed the 79-point mark with 82 points in the road win at FGCU in Alico Arena on Nov. 23 and then again with 96 points in a blowout win at home against Urbana on Nov. 29.

MINUTES, MINUTES, EVERYONE GETS MINUTES!
A total of nine players are averaging double digit minutes of playing time on the court thus far this season for the Falcons. In fact, nine different players notched 14 minutes or more of playing time over the 40 minute contest versus New Orleans (11/14), while nine different Falcons logged 13 minutes or more against Cincinnati (11/18). Nine different players also played 10 minutes or more versus North Dakota (11/21) and in the win over Youngstown State (11/22). Eleven different Falcons logged 10 minutes or more in the home win over Urbana on Nov. 29, including nine players playing over 13 minutes.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE
The duo of Spencer Parker and Zack Denny have each tallied two double-doubles thus far on the young season for the Falcons. Parker registered 16 points and 12 rebounds versus North Dakota and a season-high 22 points and 10 boards in the win at FGCU. Denny has posted two straight double-doubles with 17 points and 11 rebounds in the win over YSU, followed by 18 points and 11 rebounds in the win over the FGCU Eagles.

FALCONTASTIC DEBUTS
A number of Falcons have turned in strong BGSU debuts this year. Head coach Michael Huger picked up the 79-61 win versus New Orleans in his head coaching debut in the season opener. Redshirt-freshman Rasheed Worrell had a team-high 15 points and seven rebounds in his Falcon debut versus UNO, while junior transfer Wes Alcegaire finished with 14 points in his BGSU debut in the opener. Freshman Antwon Lillard added 13 points in his Falcon and intercollegiate debut on Nov. 14, while freshman Demajeo Wiggins finished with five points and five boards in 16 minutes of play in his debut against Cincinnati.

THAT 70'S STROH
BGSU is an impressive 21-1 at the Stroh Center when scoring 70 points or more in a contest. BGSU is 2-0 at the Stroh this season when scoring 70 points or more.

HOME SWEET STROH
BGSU has called the Stroh Center home since the 2011-12 season and has posted an overall record of 43-24 at the venue. The Falcons have won seven or more games at home every season since the Stroh's opening for the 2011-12 season and have recorded double digit home wins at the Stroh in three of the last four years. BGSU is off to a 2-1 start this season at home in the Stroh with wins over New Orleans and Urbana.

3,411 TAKE PART IN THE SECOND ANNUAL BILL FRACK CHALLENGE
A total of 3,411 fans were in attendance at the second annual Bill Frack Challenge on Nov. 18 versus Cincinnati. The crowd is the fifth largest announced attendance to watch a BGSU men's basketball game inside the Stroh Center in the buildings five-year history.

GETTING TO THE CHARITY STRIPE
Bowling Green got to the free throw line 32 times in the win over New Orleans, knocking down 23 of those free throws and shooting 71.9 percent overall. Six different Falcons made multiple foul shots for the game. BGSU's 23 made free throws was two more free throws than the Privateers attempted for the entire game (13-of-21).

#MAKEHISTORYNOW
Falcons' head coach Michael Huger recorded his first career win as a head coach in the 79-61 win over New Orleans in the season opener.

STREAKING SINCE 1992-93 IN HOME OPENERS
With BGSU's home opening 79-61 win over New Orleans on Nov. 14, the Falcons have now won 24 straight home openers. The Falcons last dropped their home opener back in 1991-92 against Findlay, 68-79, when Coach Huger was a junior guard on the team.

SEASON OPENERS FOR THE FALCONS
The Falcons have fared well in season openers since starting basketball in 1915-16, as BGSU has posted a record of 74-27 in their 101 season openers. BGSU has won each of its last five season openers and seven of their last eight regular season opening contests with their 79-61 win over New Orleans on Nov. 14.

HISTORY IN HOME OPENERS
BGSU has been almost unbeatable in their home openers over the program's 100 year history. With their win over New Orleans in the home opener on Nov. 14, the Falcons have posted an overall record of 88-13 in home openers since tipping-off the inaugural season in 1915-16.

A FALCON NOW LEADING THE FALCONS
It seems fitting that a former Falcon would lead the program during its Centennial Season, as former BGSU standout and 1994 graduate Michael Huger returns to his alma-mater as the head coach in 2015-16. Huger, who returns to his alma mater where he was a standout player for the Falcons from 1989-93. While a player at BGSU, Huger helped the Falcons to a pair of NIT appearances. Tabbed the BGSU Team MVP in 1992-93, he earned all-conference honors in his final two seasons, and was a Naismith Award nominee and the runner-up for MAC Player of the Year his senior year.

DENNY DIALING IN FROM LONG DISTANCE
Entering his junior season this year in 2015-16, guard Zack Denny has been lights out behind the three-point line over his first two years at BGSU. Denny, who made a team-high 50 three-pointers last season, enters the year ranked fifth on BGSU's career three-point field goal percentage list shooting at a clip of 40.2 percent overall. He is 53-for-132 overall from long range over his short Falcon career.

WATCH ME: BGSU ON ESPN3, BCSN AND THE TWC SPORTS CHANNEL
Every Falcons' home game over the 2015-16 season will broadcast live on ESPN3. A number of road contests will also be video steamed live over the ESPN3 network, while the Falcons will also appear locally on the Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN) on Jan. 6 vs. Miami (Ohio) and Jan. 19 vs. Toledo. BGSU will also be on the TWC Sports Channel on Jan. 12 at Ohio and Mar. 1 at Kent State. A number of BGSU games could be chosen for TV by eight ESPN or the CBS Sports Network throughout the season as wildcard selections.

CAPTAINS NAMED FOR 2015-16
The Falcons have three team captains for the 2015-16 season in junior JD Tisdale, junior Wes Alcegaire and redshirt-sophomore Garrett Mayleben.

PICKED TO FINISH SIXTH IN THE MAC EAST IN PRESEASON POLL
With the loss of its top three scorers from last season in Richaun Holmes to the NBA, and both Jehvon Clarke and Anthony Henderson due to graduation, the Falcons were picked to finish sixth in the MAC East Division in the 2015-16 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, which was determined by a 23-member MAC News Media Panel. The Falcons garnered 42 points overall.

FALCONS INK TWO DURING EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
On Nov. 11, Bowling Green State University head men's basketball coach Michael Huger announced the signing of Dylan Frye (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Mater Academy) and Rodrick Caldwell (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne H.S.) to National Letters of Intent to continue both their academic and athletic careers at Bowling Green State University in 2016.