Usually this season, second-half misfortunes have plagued BGSU women’s basketball, resulting in some crushing losses. But not this weekend. The Falcons reversed their luck and put on a show against Central Michigan. Outscoring the Chippewas 44-27 in the second half, including 20-9 in the fourth quarter.
“The second half was incredible; we really challenged them to get a handle on paint points, BGSU assistant coach Maggie Lucas said postgame. “We had given up 22 in the first half; we gave up four in the second half. The attention to detail, the focus to get back to the game plan—I’m really proud of that.”
To add to what coach Lucas stated, a big reason for Bowling Green’s comeback was the fourth-quarter performance displayed by fifth-year forward Erika Porter. She recorded 16 points, with eight of them coming in the final quarter, along with five rebounds.
“Erika was a difference maker in that second half,” Lucas said. “I’m really proud to see her, after foul trouble in the first half, come out and make such an impact.”
You have to make your free throws on the road if you want to come away victorious, plain and simple. And that’s exactly what the Falcons did. In a game where the physicality was cranked up a few notches, BG went to the charity stripe 36 times, converting 28 attempts from the line.
Freshman Johnea Donahue, while only in her first collegiate season, knows how important it is to have success at the line.
“It was very big; we go through pressure-free throws every day at practice,” Donahue said. “I think that was a big part in us coming back, just being aggressive and getting to the line. We know that we can knock them down when we get there.”
Donahue, in her second straight start for Bowling Green, was sensational on the afternoon, recording 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native was everywhere on the floor for the Falcons.
The word ‘challenge’ popped up a lot in answers with Lucas and Donahue, and it appears that the team has responded well to the multiple challenges the coaching staff has asked of the team.
Next up is another test for the Orange and Brown, who will travel to Muncie, Indiana, to take on Ball State (18-4, 10-0 MAC) at Worthen Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 5, with tip-off at 6:30 p.m.
