BGSU Men’s Basketball (17-13) (8-9) defeated the UMass Minutemen in an 81-62 win in their final game at the Stroh Center this season.
The victory clinched a Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament berth for the Falcons, marking their third consecutive trip to Cleveland. The win also marked Bowling Green’s 10th home victory and snapped a three-game losing streak.
“We had some great leadership at halftime. Guys stepped up and made the adjustments,” said head coach Todd Simon.
Bowling Green maintained defensive pressure tight near the beginning, yet struggled offensively. BGSU shot 8-for-23 from the field and 3-11 from the 3-point range in the first half.
“You gotta take it, especially in this stage of the year…this is my shot, we shoot it,” said Simon.
Bowling Green erupted for 53 second-half points after scoring just 28 in the first, shooting 19-for-33 from the field after halftime. The increase in efficient shooting, earning 19-33 from the field as well as 6-12 from the 3-point range.
“I see the guys in the gym all the time. I trust these guys to knock down shots, and they trust me to get the ball to them,” said senior forward Sam Towns. “They do what they’re supposed to do.”
Consistency struck late for BG, coming when they needed it most, leading UMass for 10 minutes and 27 seconds in the second half. Growing on the lead was a difference maker for Bowling Green in the second half, especially with a 17-0 run in favor of UMass to end the first half.
“Knowing that it’s a game of runs, it’s how basketball is. So, they make their runs, now it’s time to make ours,” said Towns. “Emphasize this is our last 20 minutes here in the Stroh, so let’s make it count.”
Outrebounding UMass 37-29 in the game, and 23-13 in the second half, was a main key to the Falcons’ success over the Minutemen. BG was led by Sam Towns, who had 15 rebounds in the game.
“I just took it personally with every rebound to go get every rebound,” said Towns
24 points off the bench was the next piece in BGSU’s victory, and it came together in a group effort.
“It’s everything for us. It allows our guys to get a good rest when they need it,” said Towns.
The first time this season and the ninth time under Simon, BGSU won after trailing its opponent at halftime.
Heading into the MAC Tournament, Bowling Green is set to continue their season with the same foundation that led to clinching the tournament.
“This formula that one of brotherhood, that’s going to be confidence in one of them,” said senior guard Justin Thomas
Next, Bowling Green travels to Eastern Michigan on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. to close out the regular season.
