Findlay (Exhbition) 10/30

[mbenecke]

Well, it's here. BG Men's basketball is back, and the march to March begins tonight with an exhibition contest against a tough Findlay team. We played them last year and won by 25, but it was tied at halftime, 35-all. They also just played Toledo on Sunday, and only lost by 7 - so this could be more challenging than many expect.

Looking forward to seeing our guys come out and play again. Game is at 7:00pm at the Stroh. Go Falcons!

[BillyLP]

Well, it's here. BG Men's basketball is back, and the march to March begins tonight with an exhibition contest against a tough Findlay team. We played them last year and won by 25, but it was tied at halftime, 35-all. They also just played Toledo on Sunday, and only lost by 7 - so this could be more challenging than many expect.

Looking forward to seeing our guys come out and play again. Game is at 7:00pm at the Stroh. Go Falcons!

Findlay is always one of the premier D-II programs in the country. I believe they were in the Elite Eight last year and are ranked #17 in the preseason polls this year. There were a few years during the Orr years where they were a legitimately better basketball team than BG. I like this as a regular exhibition matchup. It should still be a warmup, but it's against a well-coached team of solid athletes.

[mbenecke]

I'm planning to provide as many live updates as I can during the game, as I follow along with the stream. I should be set for the first half, but the 2nd half will be a little tougher as my attention will be split - Game 7 of the World Series tonight! (Any predictions? I think I like the Astros, but we'll see if they can hit Max Scherzer).

Hoping for a fast start and a stress-free evening of BG Hoops. Go Falcons!

[mbenecke]

Starting lineups are finished, and Mattos is indeed starting at the 5. Fr. Zeigler also started.

Falcons are wearing their new white "BGSU" jerseys, and this one is underway.

[mbenecke]

It's early, and at the under-16 timeout, BG is down 9-7. Plowden fought for an offensive rebound and layup, Frye had a nice runner off the glass (then had an unforced airball), and Turner hit a nice corner three. If he can shoot with consistency from beyond the three point line this season, we're going to be a problem.

[mbenecke]

Marlon Sierra the first off the bench for BG, in for Mattos.

He hits a jumper from the free throw line.

[mbenecke]

Matiss, Laster, and Diggs are now in. Frye the last remaining starter while Turner gets a blow.

Sierra steps up and hits 2 free throws. 13-11, Findlay.

[mbenecke]

Under 12, it's 22-13, Oilers.

Defense has been a step slow. Look a bit unfocused and out of position often. Not the start we were looking for.

[mbenecke]

Diggs has missed 2 threes. Not ugly or ill-advised shots, they just didn't fall.

Good defensive trap with Laster and Sierra forces a Findlay timeout. I like their chemistry playing together.

[mbenecke]

Matiss misses a 3, but Diggs grabs an offensive rebound. Turner hits another three from the corner.

[mbenecke]

Good defense toward the perimeter by Mattos forces a Findlay turnover.

On the other end, Mattos and Turner run the pick and roll and it ends with an easy bucket for Mattos.

Then, Diggs takes a charge. Seems like we're figuring it out now.

Findlay 22, BG 18 - under 8.

[mbenecke]

Plowden hits a 15-footer off the glass. Nice touch.

After some back and forth missed shots, Matiss goes to the line and knocks down both. We're back even, 22-all.

[mbenecke]

Frye hits turner on a backdoor pass for an easy layup, sandwiched between two Findlay threes. I can see why this is a premier D2 team. Unfortunately, Zeigler is 0-4 from the line - he's a freshman, but he needs to clear that up.

Under 4: Findlay 28, BG 24. Falcon ball out of the timeout, and the last little stretch of play seems to have lit our fuse to play a little harder. We'll see if we finish the half strong. I'd love to see us finish the half by grabbing the lead.

[mbenecke]

Women's coach Robyn Fralick is in the crowd. I absolutely love that she (and her family) support the men's program. We've got a good one coaching the women up.

[mbenecke]

Nice block and Euro step/layup combination in transition from Laster.

Another Turner three from the corner.

Diggs ends the half hitting a three just before the half.

HALFTIME: Findlay 36, BG 34.

For reference, it was 35-35 last year at halftime before we won by 25.