Falcons Down Capital In Exhibition Game Friday Evening

Friday, November 4

Bowling Green, OH

5:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

Capital

Bowling Green

Photo by: Bianca Garza, BGSU Marketing and Communications

November 04, 2016 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: by James Nahikian, BGSU Athletic Communications

Game Highlights
Huger Post-Game Interview
Denny Post-Game Interview
Photo Gallery -- Coming Soon (Ruben Kappler, BGSU Marketing & Communications)
Final Statistics: NCAA Box/Play-By-Play

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Senior Zack Denny (18 points) and freshman Rodrick Caldwell (15 points) combined to score 33 points, as the Bowling Green State University men's basketball team defeated Capital University, 71-56, Friday (Nov. 4) evening in an exhibition game at the Stroh Center. The Orange and Brown outscored the Crusaders, 42-24, in the second half after trailing by a score of 32-29 at the half.

"We must learn how to play hard for 40 minutes, and not for the last 10," said head coach Michael Huger. "Overall, our guys hung tough, especially at the end. I am very proud of my freshmen group – I thought they all played well and contributed. Zack Denny was really good again, but he's also been the most consistent throughout, from the time we started till today … I'm happy with the win."

The Falcons finished the game on a 30-10 run, and out-rebounded Capital by a 24-16 mark in the second, after the Crusaders won the battle of the boards in the first half by a 19-11 margin. Caldwell, who finished the game 5-of-9 from the field, score 10 of his 15 points in the second half, while Denny scored seven of his game-high 18 points in the second half.

Both Denny and Caldwell, who were the only Falcons to score in double digits, were extremely efficient from the floor. In addition of shooting 5-of-9 overall, Caldwell was 2-of-4 from downtown and 3-for-3 at the line. Denny shot 5-of-10, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and 5-for-7 from the free throw line.

Ismail Ali finished with nine points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. The senior guard was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, and cashed in on his only trip to the line. Sophomore Demajeo Wiggins and senior Wes Alcegaire registered eight points apiece.

Wiggins hauled in a team-high seven rebounds, and converted on 4-of-6 shot attempts. Alcegaire went 2-for-2 from the free throw line, and pulled down four boards, as well. Freshman Dylan Frye proved to be a spark in the second half, and the guard ended up with seven points (2-of-5), four rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Freshman Justin Turner and junior Jeffrey Uju also saw their first action for the Orange and Brown. Turner, who went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe, scored four points and recorded two defensive rebounds, while Uju added three defensive rebounds.

As a team, Bowling Green shot 49 percent (25-of-51) from the field, while holding Capital to just 34.5 percent (19-of-55). BGSU shot 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from deep and 63.6 percent (14-of-22) from the line, while Capital shot 28 percent (7-of-25) from three-point range, and 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the three throw line.

The Falcons also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Crusaders by a 32-16 margin. Bowling Green tripled Capital in scoring off the bench, as the Falcons scored 26 points compared to Capital's 12. BGSU made a living off turnovers and fast-break buckets, as well. The Falcons scored 14 points on the fast break, while limiting the Crusaders to just two fast-break points. Bowling Green scored 16 points off turnovers, and held Capital to just seven points off turnovers.

With the score tied at 48-48 with just 9:05 to go in the game, the Orange and Brown used the three-ball to pull away. Denny and Caldwell hit consecutive threes to give the Falcons a 54-50 advantage, and after the Crusaders knotted the game, 54-54, Denny hit another triple.

Alcegaire then pulled down a rebound, and went coast-to-coast for the finish at the rim. On BGSU's next possession, Caldwell took his man off the dribble, and converted an add-one layup. After he hit the free throw, Bowling Green led, 62-54.

Frye went on to hit a layup with lots of contact, and then Wiggins put BGSU up by a score of 66-54 with a bucket inside of the paint. Ali gave the Falcons their biggest lead of the game (71-56), and concluded the game's scoring with corner triple off a nice pass by Malik Hluchoweckyj.

Bowling Green will open the regular season one week from today at Oakland University on Nov. 11. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. tip. BGSU will then take on South Dakota on the road on Nov. 13, before hosting the Bill Frack Tournament over Nov. 19-21 at the Stroh Center.