Two games in, and Curt Miller is ready for a break.

That’s because he wants to get his team healthy, and a ten-day break is just what the team needs after splitting its first two games this weekend. Neither Pam Brown nor Lindsay Austin played in Friday’s 70-64 loss to Youngstown State, and after the game, Miller said the team was looking forward to the time off. The Falcons were trailing 37-36 at halftime Friday night, and the two teams went back and forth throughout the second half. BG got 16 points from Francine Miller, and 10 from Stefanie Wenzel. The game’s turning point came with the score tied at 64, when YSU’s Jessica Olmstead hit a three pointer with 40 seconds left. BG had possession with 26 seconds remaining, but were unable to get off a three-point attempt, in the possession, and YSU secured the win.

Miller gave credit to Olmstead for making the crucial three pointer. Olmstead had 12 points and six rebounds.

“She made two threes all of last year,” Miller said. “She made three tonight, but a big one with less than a minute to go…that shows a lot of guts and courage and I give that kid a lot of credit.” With Austin suffering an injury in Thursday’s practice and out for the weekend, freshman Molly Martin made the start at point guard. Martin had four points, and Miller said he was pleased with both Martin and the rest of the team.

“I was really proud of our kids, we gave ourselves a chance to win down the stretch,” Miller said. “But to their credit, they made the big play.”

Yesterday’s game saw BG spread the scoring around in an 81-62 win over Iona. 11 of the team’s players scored, and BG got its first win of the season. The Falcons had a 36-29 lead at halftime. During the break, Miller told his team that they had to win.

“We challenged them. … it was not a quiet locker room at halftime,” Miller said. “I wanted them to know that only up seven to a team that is trying to find its identity. … gives that team lots of confidence.”

Whatever was said at halftime must have inspired the Falcons. Wenzel hit a three pointer six seconds into the half, and BG went on a 10-2 run.

Wenzel, who had 20 points in the win, talked about the three-point shot that started the run.

“(Coach Miller) called the play right before we ran out,” Wenzel said. “It set the tone for the second half.”

Francine Miller, who had 25 points said the team came out with more energized in the second half.

“I think we got re-focused at halftime and got ready to play,” Francine said. “I wish we would have had the halftime conversation before the game.”

Iona coach Tony Bozzella was impressed with BG’s play.

“I do have to give a lot of credit to Bowling Green,” Bozella said. “I wouldn’t want to play this team two years from now, because they are going to be really, really tough.”

Miller said he was concerned before the game about what to be ready for against Bozzella and Iona.

“Playing against a Tony-coached team, there are two things that you know are going to happen,” Miller said. “They are going to play hard, and they are going to be very well-prepared.”

BG will now be off until Dec. 4, when they host Butler. Miller said the team will use the break to rest some of their injured players.