On Saturday, Jan. 25, the BGSU women’s basketball team (9-9, 3-4) travel 20 miles north to face off against the Toledo Rockets (12-5, 4-3) in the 89th edition of the Battle of I-75.
BGSU enters the contest with a 45-43 overall series lead, including a 15-25 record at Savage Arena. Last season, the Rockets won both games by a combined 32 points.
Per usual, you can catch the game on WBGU 88.1 FM. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Lucas Kleimeyer and Kaden Knapp will be behind the microphones starting at 1:45 for pregame and 2 p.m. for tipoff.
BOWLING GREEN
The Falcons are coming off a 63-60 loss against Western Michigan on Wednesday. It was a tough loss that was magnified by “bad, uncharacteristic mistakes down the stretch” to quote head coach Fred Chmiel.
BGSU controlled most of the contest but was unable to close out the game in the end. That is a theme that has echoed throughout the Orange and Brown’s season so far.
Fifth-year forward Erika Porter had a fantastic game, but her zeal in the waning moments of the game overshadowed it by giving WMU four free throws that ultimately won them the game.
Porter scored 17 points, breaking her four-game streak of scoring seven, and grasped three rebounds.
As a team, BGSU went 5/18 from beyond the arc and 3/10 from the free-throw line. That equates to 27.7 and 30 percent.
To beat Toledo, BG will need to protect the basketball and create timely steals. In all the Rockets’ losses except one this year they have turned the ball over more than their opponent and stolen the ball less.
It is also pivotal that the Falcons can close out quarters and consistently hit shots.
TOLEDO
The Rockets are coming off a loss to first-place Ball State. Their other Mid-American Conference (MAC) losses were against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
Victory-wise, UT defeated Akron, Kent State, Central Michigan, and Ohio, bringing their MAC record to 4-3. At fifth place in the standings, this game is important to keep pace with the top of the conference.
When it comes to scoring Toledo is just ahead of Bowling Green, scoring 70 points per game.
Another factor that Toledo has in their favor is attendance. This season, the Rockets’ attendance is top of the MAC. BGSU has struggled on the road boasting a 1-7 record to UT’s 7-1 home record.
To beat the Falcons, the Rockets will need to lock down the paint, take advantage of takeaways, and bait BG into contact.
The Orange and Brown are 0-3 in MAC play when they are outscored in the paint. They are also 1-4 when they commit more fouls than their opposition.
FALCON FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
Freshman guard #3 Johnea Donahue, Bowling Green
In a game where steals and lockdown defense will be key, Johnea Donahue will be very important. She averages 2.5 steals per game, which is 3rd in the MAC. The freshman also has 41 defensive boards and 90 points this season.
Fifth-year guard #25 Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green
Cincinnati native Lexi Fleming is going to be a pivotal piece in an intense rivalry game where experience will be paramount. Fleming averages 11.8 points per game and has a total of 30 assists and 20 steals. When she is on the court, she draws most of the defense’s attention, opening up lanes for her teammates.
Graduate student guard/forward #33 Sammi Mikonowicz, Toledo
Mikonowicz is Toledo’s leading scorer with 215 points this season and 12 double-digit scoring games. To add to that, she also leads the team in rebounds both defensively and offensively. The graduate student also is shooting almost 50 percent from the floor at 48.6.
Graduate student guard #22 Khera Goss, Toledo
Indianapolis native Goss has scored double-digit points in 13 games this season and averages 11.9 points per game. She also is second on the team in assists with 30. Goss is very experienced and will be relied upon when Mikonowicz is locked up. Every Batman needs a Robin, and Goss will need to be that player to propel the Rockets over the Falcons.
