Second Half Makes Difference Tuesday Night Between Falcons, Zips

Tuesday, February 22

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

12-16,5-12MAC

Akron

18-9,11-6MAC

Bowling Green

Akron

Photo by: Luke Allen, BGSU Athletics

February 22, 2022 | Men's Basketball

Box Score BGSU-Akron Stats Support Our Student-Athletes

By: by Kyle Edmond, BGSU Athletics

AKRON, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University men's basketball program traded buckets with the Akron Zips for most of the night on Tuesday (Feb. 22), but a second half surge pushed the Zips ahead for the 82-68 final. The Falcons were paced by 21 points from Samari Curtis while Daeqwon Plowden added 14 points in addition to leading the team in rebounds (6), assists (3) and steals (2). Bowling Green will return home to the Stroh Center for their next game, set for Saturday (Feb. 26) at 5:00 p.m. against Western Michigan.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Falcons and Zips started the game out by going back-and-forth, being tied at the second media timeout, 12-12. The ties continued after the timeout, going as far as 19-19 before Akron created a two-possession lead with a 4-0 run before the next media break.
The run extended to 6-0 for the Zips, but the Falcons quickly answered with a 4-0 burst to draw the score to 25-23 Akron and force a timeout from the Zips' bench.
The score remained close through the end of the first half. Akron maintained the advantage, but it was trimmed down to a one-possession game at half with the Zips up 35-32.
The second half picked up where the first half left off with a close contest. Akron created a small cushion at 42-34, but a 6-0 BGSU run quickly closed the gap once again to 42-40 Zips.
Akron pushed their lead up to nine later in the second half, taking a 57-48 lead, the largest of the game to that point. The Zips continued to add to the margin, growing to 15 at 69-54.
The lead would stick for Akron despite a late push by the Falcons, seeing an 82-68 final go to the Zips.

STAT LEADERS

Samari Curtis: 21 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Daeqwon Plowden: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Brenton Mills: 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

FALCON STAT FACTS

Scoring 14 points on the night, Daeqwon Plowden moved up another spot on the all-time scoring list. Plowden's career total is now up to 1,575 points in the Orange and Brown, passing Colin Irish for ninth all-time.
Brenton Mills played a season-high 36 minutes for Bowling Green and scored 12 points, just one shy of matching his season-high.
The Falcons had just six turnovers on the night, tied for the fewest this season. BGSU had six against Milwaukee earlier this season as well.

TODD WALKER RADIO CALLS
Curtis Three
Plowden Moves Up All-Time List
Mills Floater
Plowden Four-Point Play
Mills To Fulcher

COACH'S QUOTE
"We weren't able to make shots. We had some good looks, we have to be able to knock them down. We missed some key free throws that will keep you in the game. We missed some layups. The biggest thing, we weren't able to defend the way we're capable of defending. We were more worried about playing than we were defending."

Full Postgame Interview with Todd Walker

UP NEXT
The Falcons will return to the Stroh Center this coming Saturday (Feb. 26) to host Western Michigan for a 5 p.m. tip-off. Bowling Green will be recognizing the team's seniors at the game as well as the Mascot Reveal following the action.

Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons' men's basketball team on social media
Twitter - @BGAthletics and @BGSUMHoops
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsumhoops'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics'
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'