15 seconds left on the clock, time ticking down in the Battle of I-75, Bowling Green down 68-67 to Toledo. After back-to-back missed shots, Bowling Green junior guard Javontae Campbell found his way to the rim for the game-winning shot with 1.6 left on the clock.
On the back of Campbell’s heroics, Bowling Green defeated Toledo 69-68 at Savage Arena for the first time since 2021.
“I wanted to get a quick shot just so if I did miss, we could get the rebound,” Campbell said. “Just scoring mentality, we had to score to win, just wanted to score.”
Campbell finished his night with 23 points while shooting 50% from the field, grabbing four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.
Campbell did all of that while coming off the bench for the first time this season, with Bowling Green sophomore guard Braelon Green beginning the game in his place in the starting five.
Despite coming off the bench for the first time this season, Campbell spent his time making sure he was encouraging his team during the Battle of I-75.
“Just encouraging my team while being on the bench; Braelon’s a great player. The game would have gone the exact same way if he would have been in, but, you know, just locking in more, encouraging my team,” Campbell said.
Campbell played the whole game, and for multiple games this season, with a broken hand.
“The broken hand, I’ve gotten used to it. I’ve been treating it well, staying off the court a lot during practice. So, we’ve been taking it slow, being smart with it,” Campbell said. “During the game, it feels like a regular hand. Being the one to win the game is just fun being a part of it.”
Due to the hand injury, Campbell has not been involved in a live practice in over a month.
“Javontae really has not been in a live practice since Jan. 6, but he has to get his mental reps in and goes out there and has to run the show,” said head coach Todd Simon.
In addition to hitting the game-winning shot, Campbell’s 23-point night against Toledo is his third 20-point game in a row, after scoring 20 against Buffalo and 26 in the loss against Kent State.
Campbell will have another chance for a 20-point outing this Tuesday, as the Falcons take on Eastern Michigan on Feb 25. Falcon Media Sport’s Network’s Artie Abrego and Foster Roesti will be on the call, with tip-off at 6:30 p.m.
