MAC Semifinals: vs. Buffalo (3/12)

[mbenecke]

On Friday, March 12 at 10:00am, our top-seeded Falcons (19-5, 15-4 MAC) will take on the Buffalo Bulls (15-8, 12-6 MAC) in the MAC Semifinals at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Following our program’s first win in the MAC tournament since 2013 (Wednesday morning’s comeback 63-47 win over EMU), our Falcons will face a team they went 0-2 against during the regular season. Back in January, they beat us 82-74 at their place, and they ruined senior day for us this past Saturday, 69-68 in OT. I’m expecting another tough battle, and Buffalo is a great opponent.

We will need Lexi Fleming for this game. Her play at the guard position has been absolutely crucial all season long, and we’re going to need her for this one.

Go Falcons - win the MAC!

[mbenecke]

We're about an hour from tip-off in Cleveland. I have classes to teach, so I might only get to see the first quarter during my planning period. Regardless, hoping for the best today.

[mbenecke]

Lexi Fleming is starting. No clue how close she is to 100%, but she's going to give it a go.

Tough kid.

[mbenecke]

With 4:43 left in the first quarter, BG leads 9-6.

Crazy pace to this game so far. This team plays with so much energy, and they move the ball really well.

[mbenecke]

End of One: BG leads, 19-15.

[mbenecke]

Parker hits a triple to start the 2nd quarter - it's her third of the game already.

[FalconRollAlong]

Parker leading with 9pts and a 9 point lead for BG!

[mbenecke]

Falcons up 24-15 with 7:38 to play in the first half.

Kenzie Lewis is face down on the floor... and now she's being helped to the locker room. That's a really tough one.

[mbenecke]

BG was up 12. Buffalo went on a very quick 9-0 run to cut it to 3, then Fleming gets a steal and takes it the other way.

Falcons lead 29-24 with about 4 minutes left until halftime.

[BillyLP]

Seems like Fleming just had a stinger last game because she is playing at full strength. Lewis is back on the floor. Elissa Brett is my MVP to this point. Amazing defense on Fair so far.

[mbenecke]

BG is up 34-26 at halftime.

[BillyLP]

Solid half. Good defense aside from letting that one shooter get hot from 3 for a hot second. Getting a lot of open looks on offense.

[FalconRollAlong]

Should be a good second half, very happy to see Lewis back on the court.

[mbenecke]

With 4 to play in the 3rd quarter, BG leads 49-39.

[BillyLP]

Gotta give props to Clare Glowniak. She has stuck it out for 5 years here and is a really vital part of the team this season. Her footwork down low is insanely improved from even a year or two ago.