Bowling Green suffers second loss in a row to Western Michigan after 11-point halftime lead

Nick Folino, Falcon Media Sports Network

KALAMAZOO, MI — The Falcons gave up 69 points in the second half to give way to a Western Michigan comeback win, falling to the Broncos 108-92.

Their conference loss puts the Falcons at 8-9 overall, with a 2-2 record in the MAC.

Freshman guard JaVaughn Hannah lead Western Michigan with 24 points and six rebounds while senior guard Leon Ayers III was the leading scorer for the Falcons with 21 points, eight assists, and two blocks.

The Falcons came out hot from the jump, with senior Chandler Turner getting the first basket and by the time of the Broncos’ first timeout, Bowling Green went on a 9-0 run to lead 18-6.

Six minutes into the half, Western Michigan retaliated and cut the Falcons’ lead 18-12 and with 10 minutes left in the frame, senior guard Samari Curtis put up three triples to extend Bowling Green’s lead to 31-17.

At halftime, the Falcons lead the game 50-39 and were firing on all cylinders, however that would fade in the early minutes of the second half as the Broncos came out hot.

Six minutes into the half, Western Michigan grabbed the lead and did not look back, fueling their 69-point second half with a barrage of three-pointers.

Plagued with sidelined players, the Falcons couldn’t muster up enough offense or defense to put themselves back in the game.

Head coach Michael Huger said his team got too comfortable at halftime and let the game slip away.

“We got happy in the second half and we thought the game was over,” said Huger. “You have to play both halves.”

The Falcons look to end their two-game conference skid as they head up to Buffalo, NY to take on the Bulls Tuesday.