Sports
Falcons Soar Past Bobcats
By: Clark Wicks
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Despite freshman guard Teyvion Kirk tying his career high in points, the Bobcats scored a season low as they fell to the Bowling Green Falcons 66-50 at the Stroh Center Tuesday night.
Kirk leading the team in scoring is nothing new; the freshman has been a focal point on offense for the Bobcats all season long. But what was out of the ordinary was the Bobcats accuracy from behind the arc.
So far this season, the Bobcats have averaged about 20 shots from deep while hitting about seven. That was not the case Tuesday night as the Bobcats made just two of their 17 three-point attempts; that’s less than a 12 percent three-point range.
The Bobcat offense got off to a slow start as the Falcons jumped out to a 21-6 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. This lopsided lead was a result of sloppy passes from the Bobcats as eight of the Falcons first 10 points came off of turnovers.
With eight minutes left in the half big man Doug Taylor picked up his third personal foul, forcing head coach Saul Phillips to bench the rim protector. With Taylor on the bench, Bowling Green attacked the paint and brought their lead to 39-19 at the end of the half. Sixteen of the Falcons first half points were scored in the paint.
Despite making just six shots from the field in the first half, the Bobcats came out with confidence in the second half and started finding ways to score. After doubling their point total in the first 10 minutes of the second half, James Gollon ended the Bobcats scoreless streak from behind the arc as he hit a corner three to cut the Falcons lead to 14 points.
With the score at 54-40 with ten minutes left, Gollon’s three seemed to mark a shift in momentum. But the Bobcats soon lost that momentum as they continued to force (and miss) shots from behind the arc as the Falcons slowly brought the score back up to 60-42 with just four minutes remaining.
It wasn’t until the game was out of reach that Kirk hit the second and final three for the Bobcats bringing his point total to 20 (tied for a career high) and Ohio’s total to 50 (tied for a season low).
Not only did this game mark the Bobcats third consecutive loss, it also showcased the injuries this Ohio team is battling through. Starters Mike Laster and Jordan Dartis both had scary falls that seemed to aggravate persisting injuries while Zach Butler had to exit the game in the second half and remain sidelined with a sling on his arm. It is no secret this Ohio roster is depleted and if Butler continues to be sidelined, their problems may soon get much worse.
This win ended a three game losing streak for Bowling Green as the Falcons host Kent State Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Bobcats will return to the Convocation Center to host the Central Michigan Chippewa’s on Saturday.