Just two non-conference games remain for BGSU women’s basketball (5-4), with game number 10 of the 2024-25 season coming against the Marquette Golden Eagles.
This will be the Orange and Brown’s second straight Big East opponent. BG is coming off a 78-59 victory against Xavier at the Stroh Center.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Kaden Knapp and Foster Roesti will have the call on WBGU 88.1 FM starting at 6:45 for pregame, with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday night marks the first matchup between the two programs in 32 years and just the second all-time meeting. On Dec. 20, 1992, the Falcons won 105-103 against the Golden Eagles in double overtime.
BOWLING GREEN
The biggest storyline of the last game was the return of fifth-year guard Lexi Fleming. After suffering a knee injury in December last year, the Cincinnati native returned to the floor for BG, scoring nine points and playing 14 minutes.
While head coach Fred Chmiel and the Falcons will continue to slowly bring her back, the shift in the team’s energy when Fleming returned was evident. Her leadership, experience, and quality on both ends of the floor have been missed, and her return just before the start of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) play will be nothing but a big boost for the Falcons.
Bowling Green finds themselves in great form, winning three games in a row for the first time this season. A big reason is because of the play of senior guard Amy Velasco, who has hit double-digits in every game this season, including 19 points against Xavier. She is averaging 19.4 points per game (PPG), which leads the team.
Fifth-year forward Erika Porter has found her groove as well, with three straight double-digit performances (20, 18, 17). She has also been a big part in rebounding for the Falcons, who have had back-to-back +18 margin or better since at least the 1994-1995 season.
Sophomore guard Paige Kohler has been doing the dirty work for the Falcons as of late, coming off a three-point, eight rebounds, and four-assist performance, which earned her the team’s Intangible Player of the game against Xavier.
With a couple of injuries hampering the starting five for BG, freshmen Laila Harrison and Lauren Gerken have stepped in and stepped up for the Orange and Brown. Harrison has been big defensively and in rebounding, along with Gerken, who has scored a total of 40 points in her last four starts while being a threat from beyond the arch.
MARQUETTE
After starting the season 0-2, Marquette has won seven straight games. Coming off a 69-51 win over Milwaukee. What’s been so impressive during their win streak is the team is averaging a winning margin of 24.4 PPG.
The Golden Eagles have three players averaging in double figures so far this season which are Skylar Forbes (17.0), Lee Volker (14.1), and Halle Vice (11.3)
Currently, Marquette is first in the Big East and 16th in the nation in field goal percentage defense at 33.9 percent. In all nine games this year, they have held opponents to under 45% shooting.
Safe to say, the Golden Eagles are good defensively.
Marquette is also 10th in the nation in blocks per game, averaging 5.9, with Forbes leading the charge at 20 total blocks so far this season.
While they are led by their defense, don’t sleep on the Golden Eagles’ offense. The team is averaging 71.2 PPG and is efficient from the charity stripe, shooting 77.5% from the line.
FALCON FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
#25 Fifth-year guard – Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green
Fleming’s role will be something to watch on Wednesday. More likely than not, she will still be on a minute restriction. Seeing how Chmiel utilizes her in her second game back will be key on both ends of the floor.
#32 Fifth-year forward – Erika Porter, Bowling Green
With her current form, Porter will be crucial in rebounding for the Orange and Brown against Marquette. Along with scoring, where she will be going up against a tough defensive team in the Golden Eagles.
#11 Sophomore forward – Skylar Forbes, Marquette
Along with her stellar blocking, Forbes leads the team in scoring with 15.1 PPG and has been key in defensive rebounding, with 44 total on the season thus far. Her impact on the box score will greatly determine the outcome of the game.
#1 Senior guard – Lee Volker, Marquette
Volker is averaging 14.1 PPG and is coming off one of the best games of her collegiate career against Milwaukee, with a career-high 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists, as well as a career-high in steals with seven.
