Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
EASTERN MICHIGAN
Men's Basketball Wins Sixth Straight
February 17, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2001
Ypsilanti, Michigan - The Bowling Green State University men's basketball team, the top scoring team in the MAC, used its defense to pound out a 71-45 road win at Eastern Michigan. Saturday night. With the win the Falcons improved to 12-10 overall and 8-5 in the league. EMU is 3-20 and 1-13
With the win the Falcons posted their sixth straight triumph and captured their fourth straight on the road in the MAC. BGSU is now 5-3 on the road in conference play and has posted winning seasons on the road in the league in back-to-back years for the first time since 1962 and 1963.
Keith McLeod led the Falcons with 21 points, his fourth straight 20-point plus effort. BGSU shot 50.9 from the field and 66.7 from three point range.
BGSU jumped out to a 14-2 lead in the first eight minutes of the game and opened up a 23-8 advantage with 5:33 remaining in the first half. The Eagles closed the gap and trailed by nine at halftime, 33-24.
"I thought our defense was outstanding, especially in the second half," said Coach Dan Dakich. "I thought our team was dead at halftime and once again they came out and proved me wrong. This was the type of game that scares a coach."
The 45 points allowed was the fewest the Falcons have given up this season and matches the fewest BGSU had ever given up in the MAC since the shot clock and three-point line came into effect in 1987. BGSU also allowed 45 at Western Michigan in 1993 and at Ball State in 1990.
Back-to-back three pointers by McLeod and junior Brandon Pardon returned the Falcon lead to 15. BGSU allowed just two field goals in the first seven minutes of the second half and built a 31 point lead, 62-31 with six minutes left.
Junior Len Matela had 11 points and freshman Josh Almanson added 10. Pardon chipped in nine assists and led the team in rebounding wtih seven caroms.
The Falcons will face East Division leader, Kent State, Tuesday night at Anderson Arena at 8 p.m. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Ohio.
