It took four attempts, but head men’s basketball coach Louis Orr recorded win number 200 of his career and number 100 in his time as the Falcons’ coach.
For the third game in a row, the Falcons’ opponent had the last possession with the chance to win, but this time the Falcons’ defense came up with the stop.
“We had a bad feeling the past two games,” said BG’s Spencer Parker. “We just didn’t want that feeling again so we had to get some stops down the stretch and get this win.”
With six seconds left in the game, the Cardinals dribbled the ball to the free throw line, but the Falcon defense did not allow them to get a shot off in time. The late defensive stop gave the Falcons the 66-64 win and moved the Falcons to 11-14 and 5-7 in the Mid-American Conference with six games left.
“We have been in a lot of close games,” coach Louis Orr said. “They played with courage, stayed confident and played until the end. That’s all you can ask for your guys.”
Junior guard Anthony Henderson made the game-winning layup to give the Falcons a 65-64 lead with 44 seconds left. Junior Richaun made the front end of the 1-and-1, but missed the next free throw, giving the Falcons their 66-64 lead.
The Falcons overcame shooting just 39 percent from the field and 16 percent from behind for three in the second half.
For the second straight game the Falcons got out to a fast start as they led 13-4 five minutes into the game. The Cardinals’ use of the three shot got them back in the game as they shot 47 percent the entire game and 50 percent in the first half.
“They shot the three well and that was the difference in the game,” Orr said. “It was a big weapon for them today.”
Parker finished with a game-high 22 points on 9-14 shooting from the field. Holmes recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
“I just wanted to be aggressive,” Parker said. “I knew I didn’t play as well the last few games so I just wanted to come out and try and make an impact in this game.”
The Falcons will host The University of Toledo Thursday night at 9 p.m.
