All good things must eventually come to an end and so Oakland University handed Bowling Green the first loss of the 2023-24 season and the first of the Todd Simon era, defeating the visiting Falcons 81-62 Tuesday night.
The loss denied Bowling Green its first 3-0 start since the 2014-15 season.
Oakland started the game hot, scoring seven straight points to kick off the first half, but a Marcus Hill layup and a Rashaun Agee dunk brought the Falcons within three points. Agee ended the night by playing a career-high 31 minutes.
The Golden Grizzles went on another run later in the first half, forging a 10-point halftime lead, 38-28. Senior guard Jack Gohlke led the Golden Grizzles at the half with 11 points, with senior forward Sam Towns leading the Falcons with eight points and five rebounds.
The Falcons opened the second half with a Hill layup and Agee splitting a pair of free throws. A layup by Bowling Green senior center Jason Spurgin cut the deficit to eight. Spurgin would finish with his first double-double – 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Oakland edged ahead as the second half wore on but junior guard DJ Smith made two big-time threes to once again cut the Oakland lead to another eight, 55-47.
Unfortunately for the Falcons, they could never make up the rest of that deficit, resulting the first victory of the season for the Golden Grizzles.
The Falcons had a rough shooting performance from behind the three-point line, going 5-of-20. The Falcons also had 18 total turnovers.
The Falcons will return to the Stroh Center Friday for a matchup against Bellarmine University at 7 p.m. The Knights are transitioning to Division I and are 0-4 after a loss to Chattanooga last night.
