Earlier today, BGSU women’s basketball (12-11, 5-6) defeated the Arkansas State Red Wolves (15-8, 11-1) by a score of 75-73.
This game marked the final non-conference game of the regular season for the Falcons and completed this year’s edition of the Mid-American Conference (MAC)- Sun Belt Conference (SBC) challenge.
Arkansas State darted out of the gates, scoring 15 early points to BG’s five. Including a five of five start from beyond the arc.
After a head coach Chmiel timeout, the Falcons then went on a 15-5 run spearheaded by sophomore Paige Kohler and senior Amy Velasco to even the ledger at 20.
Following that, ASU finished the final 1:57 of the quarter, scoring five points and holding BGSU to zero to make it 25-20 after one.
Senior guard Kennedie Montue had a game-high nine points, going three for three from beyond the arc after the first 10.
To start the second, freshman Johnea Donahue hit her fourth three of the season and followed that up with a made layup to knot the game at 25.
Fresh off the bench, junior Emily Siesel broke the tie by drilling a triple, making both teams a combined 13 of 30 from three-point land.
Over the next few minutes, the Red Wolves went on yet another scoring run, this one 7-1, making it 32-29. However, that lead was short-lived because Donahue and sophomore Taya Ellis hit a few shots to make it 33-32.
Soon after, Ellis hit yet another shot, and sophomore Keiryn McGuff splashed in a triple, making it 38-32 at the intermission.
To start the third, BGSU picked up right where they left off by knocking down consecutive baskets to extend the lead to 42-32.
Both squads then proceed to spend the next four or so minutes scoring a combined nine points, making it 47-36 Orange and Brown midway through the third.
Over the next five minutes, the offenses picked up drastically. BG scored eight, and ASU scored 12 to finish the quarter, making it 55-48 after 30 minutes of gameplay. Arkansas State also hit their first three since the first quarter during that stretch.
To open the fourth, the Orange and Brown went on an 8-2 run over the first 2:59 to make it 63-50. During that stretch, Donahue grasped her tenth rebound of the game to give the Fort Wayne native her first collegiate double-double.
This warranted a timeout call by the Scarlet and Black. This timeout proved to do wonders for the Red Wolves because they responded with a 7-0 run, slimming their deficit to six at 63-57.
The next sequence of plays consisted of both teams hitting big shots to make it 67-62 with 3:11 to play in regulation.
On the ensuing play, graduate student Shaunae Brown buried a three-point shot to make it 67-65.
With all the momentum in their favor, sophomore guard Crislyn Rose knocked down a mid-range jumper to give Arkansas State its first lead since the first half at 70-68.
Tied at 70 with 22 seconds left to play, Velasco showed off her clutch gene by sinking a floater to give the Falcons the lead. That was followed up by hitting two pivotal free throws, putting the score at 74-70 with 15 seconds left in regulation.
Despite a late three by Griffin, BGSU held off ASU to get their twelfth victory of the season.
Donahue finished with a team-high 19 points, grabbed 10 boards, and picked up a steal. Her performance earned her the BG Falcon Media Food and Drink Guide Player of the Game award.
Fifth-year forward Erika Porter finished with 11 total rebounds, and Velasco recorded eight assists.
It is also worth noting that BGSU out-rebounded ASU 49 to 28 and shot 51.9% from the floor.
The Falcons are off until next Saturday when they host Central Michigan in a matinee on WBGU 88.1 FM. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Kaden Knapp and Andrew Smith will call the game.
