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Kalamazoo, Mich. – David Kool’s steal and lay-up with less than 10 seconds to play gave Western Michigan a 65-64 win over the Bowling Green men’s basketball team Saturday afternoon at University Arena.
Kool, the Mid-American Conference’s top scorer, proved why he is one of the leading candidates for the league’s Player of the Year award by leading the Broncos back from an 11-point deficit and scoring with 4.2 seconds left to earn his team a victory. He scored just six points in the first half but scored 11 in the final 5:39 and finished with 23.
The effort by Kool overshadowed a strong offensive effort by Bowling Green. The Falcons shot 62 percent from the field in the second half but Bowling Green took 14 less shots than Western Michigan in the final 20 minutes thanks to a strong effort on the offensive glass by the Broncos. One of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league, Western Michigan had just one offensive rebound in the first half but 10 in the second. As well, Bowling Green committed 10 of its 13 turnovers in the final stanza.
Bowling Green led 32-30 after a nip-and-tuck first half and the score was tied at 43-43 with 13:31 to play. Jordon Crawford, Dee Brown, and Otis Polk scored in succession to put the Falcons on top 49-43 and Western Michigan’s bench was called for a technical. Brown made both free-throws before the two teams exchanged baskets. Crawford then knocked down a three-pointer with 8:34 to play that gave Bowling Green its largest lead of the game at 56-45.
At that point, Western Michigan went to a full-court press and sped up the Falcons. In a span of 2:33, Bowling Green committed three turnovers and the Broncos scored 14 points to take a 61-58 lead. But the Falcons fought back.
Scott Thomas drove the lane and was fouled, making two free-throws to cut the deficit to one with 3:29 to play. After Western Michigan’s Nate Hutcheson missed a jumper, Polk scored with 2:10 to go that gave Bowling Green a 62-61 lead. Both teams exchanged missed possessions before Polk scored with 17 seconds left to give the Falcons a 64-61 lead, but Kool took the inbounds pass and drove the length of the court for a bucket with 12 seconds left.
When Western Michigan trapped Jakubowski on the inbounds pass,Kool stripped the ball with six seconds left and scored on an off-balanced lay-up with 4.2 seconds left. Bowling Green tried a length of the court pass on the final inbounds but it was stolen and Western Michigan escaped with the win.
Thomas and Polk each finished with 14 points and Brown added 13. Erik Marschall scored 10 and Crawford came off the bench for nine points and a career-high six assists. Bowling Green held a 40-28 advantage in points in the paint.
Western Michigan improves to 13-10 overall and 5-5 in MAC play with the win. Bowling Green falls to 11-11 overall and 4-6 in conference action. The Falcons return home for two consecutive games beginning with Thursday’s 7 p.m. start against Northern Illinois. Western Michigan entertains Ohio Tuesday (7 p.m.).
Courtesy of Bowling Green Athletics |
