BGSU's Strong Second Half Showing Falls Short Against Skyhawks

Saturday, December 17

Bowling Green, Ohio

2:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

4-7,0-0MAC

UT Martin

7-5,0-0OVC

UT Martin

Bowling Green

Photo by: Daniel Carlson, BGSU Athletics

December 17, 2022 | Men's Basketball

Box Score BGSU-UT Martin Box Score Support Our Student-Athletes

By: by Kyle Edmond, BGSU Athletics

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University men's basketball program put together a 19-2 stretch early in the second half Saturday (Dec. 17) against UT Martin inside the Stroh Center. The run cut the Skyhawks' lead down to just two, but UT Martin was able to maintain their advantage to claim a 75-67 final. The loss moves BGSU to 4-7 on the season with two more non-conference games on the schedule before starting play within the Mid-American Conference.

Isaac Elasser made his first career start for the Falcons, playing a team-high 35 minutes in the process. Willie Lightfoot posted a career-high 15 points to tie with Leon Ayers III for the team lead. Rashaun Agee added nine points and a team-high eight rebounds while both Kaden Metheny (12) and Samari Curtis (10) tallied double-digit points as well.

HOW IT HAPPENED

An early 7-0 run for UT Martin pushed the Skyhawks ahead, taking a 9-2 lead into the media timeout.
The Falcons answered with a 5-0 run out of the media break to close the gap to 9-7.
UT Martin put together a 12-0 run to build their lead, going up 26-11 with the stretch.
The Skyhawks maintained their advantage through the end of the first half, taking a 39-23 lead into halftime.
The Falcons began chipping away at the UT Martin lead early in the second half with an 8-3 stretch to cut the deficit down to 42-31.
Bowling Green kick-started their offense with a six-point possession. Kaden Metheny made a three just before a loose ball foul on UT Martin that kept possession with the Falcons. On the inbound, Isaac Elsasser hit another triple for BGSU to make it a six-point trip down the court.
The Skyhawks made two free throws, but the Falcons responded with a 13-0 run, making it a 19-2 stretch, to cut the UT Martin lead down to 56-54.
A 5-0 burst for UT Martin rebuilt their lead to 61-54 and began a period of basket trading between the two teams.
A 5-1 stretch in favor of the Falcons closed the gap to five at 67-62 with just under four and a half minutes left in the game.
From there the Skyhawks were able to hold on to their lead, going to a 75-67 final score.

STAT LEADERS

Willie Lightfoot: 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Leon Ayers III: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Kaden Metheny: 12 points, 3 rebounds
Samari Curtis: 10 points, 3 rebounds
Rashaun Agee: 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal
Isaac Elsasser: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

FALCON STAT FACTS

Making his first collegiate start, Isaac Elsasser tallied a career-high seven rebounds for the Falcons, bringing his season total to 21 to set a new high for a single season in his BGSU career. Elsasser played a team-high, and career-high, 35 minutes in the game and matched his career-high for assists with two.
Willie Lightfoot played a career-high 24 minutes for the Falcons and registered a career-high 15 points. Lightfoot made a career-best five field goals on 11 attempts while adding four free throws and a three to his stat line.
Rashaun Agee led the Falcons in rebounds for the fifth time this season, snagging eight. Agee also recorded all three of BGSU's blocks, matching his career-high for the stat.
After a strong game against Norfolk State, Kaden Metheny made four three-pointers for 12 points against the Skyhawks.
Leon Ayers III tied for the team-lead in points with 15, tallying 12 in the first half alone. Ayers added four rebounds and three assists to his stat line.
Samari Curtis entered the game within the Top 25 in the nation for free throw percentage, shooting 90% from the line. Curtis improved those numbers by going a perfect 3-for-3 at the free throw line en route to a 10-point game.

TODD WALKER RADIO CALLS
Ayers Fastbreak Dunk
Agee And-One
Curtis And-One
Elsasser Triple
Agee Slam Off Elsasser Dime
Lightfoot To The Rim
Lightfoot Career-High

QUOTE FROM COACH HUGER
"We didn't take care of the ball. We had way too many live ball turnovers. Live ball turnovers are when we turn the ball over and they are able to score right away. Dead ball turnovers are when they go out of bounds and we can set our defense. We just had too many live ball turnovers and just too many guys not ready to play, not coming to play. We have to defend way better than what we've done. We gave up too many points in the paint, just weren't tough enough. Second half we were much better, but we have to put together two good halves and not just one."

Full postgame interview with Todd Walker

UP NEXT
The Falcons will be back at the Stroh Center on Monday (Dec. 19) to host Fairmont State for an 11 a.m. tip. The game will be the School Day Game between the Falcons and the Falcons.

Follow the Falcons
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Twitter - @BGAthletics and @BGSUMHoops
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsumhoops'
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