Following their loss to UC Irvine on Friday, BGSU women’s basketball (2-4) defeated the University of Alaska Anchorage SeaWolves (5-0) 67-63 in the second and final game of the Great Alaskan Shootout.
This win breaks a four-game losing streak for the Falcons and ends the road trip on a high note as they return to Bowling Green.
Head coach Fred Chmiel made two changes to the starting five, with senior Emily Siesel and redshirt junior Jasmine Fearne each earning their first-ever collegiate start.
The Falcons started the game strong, going 4-4 from the field and jumping out to a 10-4 lead over the SeaWolves.
Alaska guard Elaina Mack would help to keep the SeaWolves competitive in the first quarter of play, knocking down a three to make it a five-point game at 16-11.
In the first quarter of play, as each team responded to each basket made with one of their own, the Orange and Brown held the lead 23-20 after one.
Entering the second quarter, both teams struggled to find an easy basket. With both teams playing tough defense, points were tough to come by.
With Alaska Anchorage finishing the second quarter on a 7-4 run, they were able to tie the game up at 34.
Out of the halftime break, Bowling Green struggled to get their offense rolling.
For the Falcons, in the third quarter, four of their nine points came from the free throw line, with Joniyah-Bland-Fitzpatrick and Taya Ellis hitting the four free throws.
Alaska Anchorage used second-chance opportunities to take the lead for the first time in the match. With an offensive rebound as the score was tied 36, they took the lead while at the free throw line.
The Falcons ended the third quarter with a Lauren Gerken three-pointer to get the offense back on the right track.
The SeaWolves took a 51-43 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
Starting the fourth, both teams traded baskets, as Anchorage held onto its lead.
The Falcons’ offense would come alive, going on an 8-2 point run to tie the game at 59, and a Paige Kohler three would give BGSU the lead 62-61.
As the game would come to an end, Anchorage would only score two more points as the Falcons got to the free-throw line to seal their victory 67-63.
The Falcons are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. as they host the University of Fort Wayne Mastodons in their first regular-season home game of the season. Falcon Media Sports Networks’ Lucas Kleimeyer and Adam Duffin will have the live radio broadcast on WBGU 88.1 FM.
