BG News Sports Blog

Barnes, others participate in pro day

2010-03-17T00:51:44Z

Barnes speaks following pro day: 3_16_Freddie_Barnes.wav

Freddie Barnes and 14 other former Falcons participated in the team's 2010 pro day this afternoon.

There were 14 teams that sent scouts to Bowling Green, and those teams included the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins.

Most of, if not all, these teams were interested in looking at Barnes.

His times were not released to the media, but Barnes said he figured he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.6 or 4.7 seconds.

Quarterback Tyler Sheehan and safety P.J. Mahone were also targeted by several teams.

Falcons' fourth straight game cancelled

2010-03-15T18:29:45Z

Tomorrow's home opener for the baseball team has been cancelled due to poor field conditions from the recent weather.

This is the Falcons' fourth straight game that has been cancelled, after games against Yale, North Dakota St. and Indiana were cancelled during their trip to Florida due to rain.

The game will not be made up. The Falcons next action will be this weekend on the road against Eastern Kentucky, a three game weekend series.

Samuels-Thomas a finalist for rookie of the year

2010-03-15T17:06:33Z

Jordan Samuels-Thomas has been named one of three finalists for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association CCM Rookie of the Year award.

"JST" led the team this year with 11 goals and 25 points, tying Tomas Petruska for the team assists lead with 14.

A 7th round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009, he was third in the CCHA in scoring by a freshman, and was named CCM/CCHA rookie of the week on Nov. 16.

The other two finalists for the award are Andy Taranto of Alaska and Chris Brown of Michigan.

Petruska heading for Las Vegas

2010-03-14T22:45:13Z

Tomas Petruska has signed an Amature Tryout Contract with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the East Coast Hockey League, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

This past year was the best of Petruska's career, as he finished second on the team in goals (10) and points (24), while tying for the team lead in assists with 14. He alse led the team with 127 shots.

Petruska will join former teammate Jimmy Spratt, who is also on the Wranglers. Despite only starting eight games for the Wranglers this year, Spratt has been the team's best goalie, posting a 5-1-1 record with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .928 save percent.

BG baseball versus Hoosiers rained out

2010-03-14T06:33:22Z

For the third straight game, the BG baseball team was unable to take the field due to rain.

On Thursday, the second game of a double-header against Yale was cancelled due to rain, after game one was shortened to only five innings.

Yesterday's game against North Dakota St. was also rained out.

For the tournament, the Falcons went 3-1-1, to mush their overall record to 3-7-1.

The Falcons next scheduled game is Tuesday afternoon against Findlay, which is their first home game of the year.

No. 9 Ohio beats Akron for MAC title in OT

2010-03-14T01:01:41Z

Ninth-seeded Ohio finished its magical run through the Mid-American Conference Tournament by defeating third-seeded Akron 81-75 in overtime for the conference championship.

The Bobcats will advance to their first NCAA Tournament since 2005 with the victory.

In a game that featured more than 20 lead changes throughout, the game ultimately came down to poor ball handling during the final 25 seconds of regulation.

Ohio's hero of the tournament, Armon Bassett, lost control of his dribble with about 25 seconds left in the game, which allowed Akron, which was trailing 66-65 at the time, to take the final shot.

However, Brett McKnight made a bad pass with 16.7 seconds left and turned the ball over to Ohio.
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The Bobcats then stole Akron's inbounds pass, and Bassett was fouled quickly and made both free throws with 14 seconds left to give Ohio a 68-65 lead.

In another twist, Akron's Steve McNees made a deep 3-pointer with 6.8 seconds left to tie the game at 68, sending it to overtime, which was only appropriate in the back-and-forth contest.

The overtime period lived up to the game's hype, as the team's traded buckets for the first four minutes, after which Ohio led 77-75.

Cooper was fouled with 24.9 seconds left and extended the Bobcat lead to four with two free throws.

Akron was unable to make either of their two attempts from 3-point range, and Ohio added two more on a breakaway to reach the final tally of 81-75.

Bassett and Cooper led the Bobcats in scoring with 25 and 23 points. Conyers led Akron with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Breske, Prochaska help Falcons get redemption for prior championship losses

2010-03-14T00:25:49Z

CLEVELAND -- After 364 days redemption had finally come.

On March 13, 2009 BG fell to an underdog Ball State 55-51, failing to win the Mid-American Conference title and missing the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.

During that loss to Ball State, Lauren Prochaska and Tara Breske failed to live up to their expectations and didn't deliver the effort that had led the Falcons to a dominant regular season.

"The player of the year in the conference lost her confidence," BG coach Curt Miller said after the loss. "Our center and captain lost her confidence."

All that lost confidence was erased from memory as Prochaska launched the ball into the air with one second remaining on Saturday, and once it landed on the floor of Quickens Loan Arena the new MAC Tournament MVP was already swarmed by her teammates.

Redemption had come in the form of a 62-53 victory, and it couldn't have been sweeter. ]]>
First Prochaska scored seven of her team's next 14 points to tie the game at 24, and then Breske delivered the lead on two of her trademark turnaround jumpers.

But, they weren't done yet.

In the second half, BG trailed by one with less than nine minutes remaining and during a timeout a "Great Moment in MAC History" played on the Jumbotron -- it was BG's loss to Ball State from a year ago.

While Prochaska and Breske admitted they hadn't seen the Jumbotron during the timeout, they came out of the break motivated to erase the image that many Toledo fans had just cheered.

First the two-time MAC Player of the Year drained a 3-pointer to regain the lead and then a minute later she did it again giving her team a five-point cushion.

Then with BG clinging to a 3-point lead, Breske made the play of the game with 59 seconds remaining.

Toledo's Naama Shafir teed up for what would have been a 15-foot jumper, but Breske soared in for a big block with the right hand.

"I was just happy we got the ball back," Breske said. "I just tried to not let her get that shot off."

Just 16 seconds later, Prochaska swished home two free throws, and the four-point swing all but ensured the victory.

And then as Breske and Prochaska took their turns cutting down the Quicken Loans Arena nets any memory of the loss to Ball State was replaced by pure joy.

Breske writes perfect end to MAC career

2010-03-13T21:20:00Z

SHOOTER: BG's Tara Breske shoots over two Toledo defenders during the Mid-American
Conference championship game at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday. (Enoch Wu)

CLEVELAND -- Senior center Tara Breske wanted nothing more from this season than to play in the NCAA Tournament.

Her wish was granted on Saturday when the Falcons beat Toledo 62-53 to win the Mid-American Conference championship and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, writing the best possible ending to her MAC career.

"I don't think I could [write a better ending] actually," Breske said. "We came out here, did what we needed to do and came away with a championship."

Breske scored six points and grabbed nine rebounds in BG's win, but a stretch of play as the first half came to a close defined her role on the team as a leader.

With 1:34 left in the first half, Breske made a jumper that gave the Falcons their first go-ahead score of the game. Even though she failed to convert on the 3-point play, that basket brought the Falcon bench and fans to their feet.

]]>
Freshman Chrissy Steffen was fouled soon after, and Breske grabbed the rebound off Steffen's second miss, which she converted into a jumper with 38 seconds left in the half that gave the Falcons a five-point lead.

That strong play helped cap off a 17-2 Falcon run that closed out the half.

Her strong work ethic was something Breske hoped would rub off on the younger players because she knows that is how teams win championships.

"We passed down the torch today to the underclassmen and showed them how hard you have to work all year," Breske said. "Hopefully they will take that with them in coming years."

Breske learned that work ethic herself when she was a freshman.

That season, the Falcons won a MAC championship and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

Breske saw limited action in the postseason games, playing one minute during the Sweet Sixteen loss to Arizona State and less than 10 minutes per game during the MAC Tournament.

This season though, Breske was a key in all Falcon tournament victories, scoring 39 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, which earned her a spot on the All-Tournament team.

A more active role combined with this being her senior season makes the championship all the more special for Breske.

"They're always sweet," Breske said. "Senior year, you always want to go out big, so maybe it means a little more."

Photo: BG's Tara Breske looks to make a layup during the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game at Quicken Loan Arenas on Saturday. Breske had six points in a 62-53 Falcons win against Toledo. (Christina McGinnis)

Falcons defeat Toledo for MAC Title

2010-03-13T21:09:10Z

BG coach Curt Miller waves to fans and his team after cutting down the second net in Quicken
Loans Arena after winning the MAC championship by beating Toledo 62-53. (Enoch Wu)
Postgame audio from coach Curt Miller, Tournament MVP Lauren Prochaska and senior Tara Breske: MAC_Championship_Falcons_Postgame.wav

CLEVELAND -- The BG women's basketball team is going dancing.

The Falcons have punched their ticket to the Big Dance, receiving the automatic bid to this year's NCAA Tournament after defeating arch-rival Toledo 62-53 for the Mid-American Conference championship Saturday afternoon at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

"We can't express how excited we are," BG coach Curt Miller said. "What an unbelievable feeling. It's just a great finish to MAC play for us this year."

The Falcons were led by Lauren Prochaska, who had a game-high 29 points and grabbed seven rebounds en route to being named player of the game and tournament MVP.

BG started the game sluggish and the Rockets were clicking on all cylinders, jumping out to a 22-12 advantage at the 8:19 mark. The Falcons would dominate down the stretch of the first half, however, going on a 17-2 run to take a 29-24 lead into the break.

Prochaska scored 12 first-half points, essentially setting the tone for an offense that struggled early on.

"We were down big early and I think nerves got to us," Prochaska said. "We were a little impatient and weren't running our offenses, [but] as we settled down we were able to execute our plays better and get the shots that we wanted to get."
]]>
Two minutes and 32 seconds later and the Rockets would regain the lead, 30-29, off Naama Shafir's layup.

The final 17:29 went back-and-forth, as the game saw two ties and seven lead changes, but the biggest lead change of the game occurred with 6:20 left in the game, when Maggie Hennegan's layup gave the Falcons the lead for good.

Possibly BG's biggest play of the day would come with 1:15 remaining in the game when the Falcons led 56-53, as senior Tara Breske blocked a shot from Shafir that eventually setup a foul at the other end of the court - putting one of the best free throw shooters in the country at the line in Prochaska.

Prochaska sunk both free throws and Tamika Nurse and Tracy Pontius followed in their teammate's footsteps - making each of their free throws down the stretch to seal the nine-point win.

The Falcons went to the free-throw line 24 times and converted on 16 of them. Toledo went to the line just nine times and made five. BG's knack for getting to the line was a credit to their inside presence - outscoring Toledo 32-24 in the paint - which was crucial in getting the win.

Breske, who finished with six points and nine rebounds, knew that winning the battle inside the paint was going to play a big factor in defeating their arch-rival.

"We just battled," Breske said. "We know that their inside presence is huge for them."

Leading the way for the Rockets was Tanika Mays, Goodall and Shafir, who finished with 18, 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Despite allowing three players to score in double-figures, BG's defense stepped up when it needed it most, and the offense picked up as a result - including Prochaska's 29-point effort.

"I think today my teammates and coaches did a great job of calling plays for me," Prochaska said. "I was able to get open shots."

The Falcons will now have to play the waiting game, as they won't find out who their opponent is for the NCAA Tournament until Monday.

Prochaska named MVP of MAC Tournament; Breske All-Tournament

2010-03-13T20:02:10Z

UPDATE: 4:33 p.m.

Junior Lauren Prochaska was named MVP of the 2010 Mid-American Conference Tournament, and senior center Tara Breske was named to the All-Tournament team.

The two-time MAC Player of the Year scored 61 points in BG's three games at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, and she led the Falcons with 29 points in the title game against Toledo, a 62-53 Falcon win.

Historically, Prochaska has struggled in the MAC Tournament so being able to put it all together made the award more meaningful.

The Falcons will play in the NCAA Tournament against a team and at a date to be announced later.

All-Tournament Team
*Jamilah Humes, Kent State
*Tanika Mays, Toledo
*Naama Shafir, Toledo
*Tara Breske, BG
*Lauren Prochaska, BG

MVP
*Lauren Prochaska, BG

FALCONS WIN MAC TITLE

2010-03-13T19:58:39Z

The Falcon women's basketball team won the 2010 Mid-American Conference championship Saturday afternoon.

BG beat Toledo 62-53 in a tense, back-and-forth battle at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

The Falcons earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, and their opponent will be announced in the next few days.

Lauren Prochaska led the Falcons with 29 points and seven rebounds in the game.

Much more on this game will come throughout the day.

Live chat: MAC Championship game BG vs. Toledo

2010-03-13T17:33:21Z

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=c0bca70724" >Women's Basketball Live Chat: MAC title game BG vs. Toledo</a>

2010 MAC Tournament Central

2010-03-13T17:00:00Z

LAST UPDATE: Saturday, March 13, at 10:22 p.m.

What's next for the Falcons

*Next women's game: NCAA First-Round action, TBA
*Next men's game: Eliminated by No. 7 Western Michigan in first-round action

Brackets

MBBracket.pdf

WBBracket.pdf

Saturday, March 13, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*Exciting 2010 MAC Tournament to close after two Saturday title games
*Falcon women win MAC championship
*Lauren Prochaska named MAC Tournament MVP
*Tara Breske named to All-Tournament team
*Ohio (No. 9 seed) men win MAC title
*Armon Bassett named Tournament MVP

Results:
*No. 1 BG 62, No. 2 Toledo 53
--Lauren Prochaska, BG, 29 points, seven rebounds
--Melissa Goodall, UT, 15 points, 13 rebounds
--Tanika Mays, UT, 18 points
--Tara Breske, BG, nine rebounds, six points
--Stats | Recap | Feature | Column | Photos

*No. 9 Ohio 81, No. 3 Akron 75
--Armon Bassett, OU, 25 points, six rebounds
--D.J. Cooper, OU, 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists
--Jimmy Conyers, UA, 19 points, 12 rebounds
--Chris McKnight, UA, 18 points, 10 rebounds
--Stats | Recap

Women's schedule:
*No. 1 BG vs. No. 2 Toledo, 1 p.m. | Preview

Men's schedule:
*No. 3 Akron vs. No. 9 Ohio, 6 p.m. | Preview

Saturday's top performer:
*Lauren Prochaska, BG, 29 points, seven rebounds

Honorable mention:
*Armon Bassett, OU, 25 points, six rebounds
*D.J. Cooper, OU, 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists
*Jimmy Conyers, UA, 19 points, 12 rebounds
*Chris McKnight, UA, 18 points, 10 rebounds
*Melissa Goodall, UT, 15 points, 13 rebounds
*Tanika Mays, UT, 18 points

Saturday's top moment:
*No. 9 Ohio wins MAC in overtime

Honorable mention:
*Falcons get over the hump, win first MAC title since 2007

For news and results from Saturday-Friday, please click continued.

]]> Friday, March 12, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*Teams eliminated: Kent State women, Akron women, Western Michigan men, Miami men
*Women's final set: No. 1 BG vs. No. 2 Toledo
*Men's final set: No. 9 Ohio vs. No. 3 Akron

Results:
*No. 9 Ohio 54, No. 4 Miami 42
--Armon Bassett, OU, 28 points
--DeVaughn Washington, OU, 18 points, seven rebounds
--Kenny Hayes, UM, 12 points, four rebounds
--Stats | Recap

*No. 3 Akron 66, No. 7 Western Michigan 64
--David Kool, WMU, 39 points, six rebounds, five 3-pointers
--Chris McKnight, UA, 18 points, game-winning basket, eight rebounds
--Anthony Hitchens, UA, 14 points, three assists
--Stats | Recap

*No. 1 Bowling Green 81, No. 4 Akron 49
--Lauren Prochaska, BG, 17 points, five rebounds
--Tara Breske, BG, 13 points, two steals
--Rachel Tecca, UA, 12 points, seven rebounds
--Chrissy Steffen, BG, 10 points, five rebounds
--Stats | Recap | Photos | Feature

*No. 2 Toledo 51, No. 3 Kent State 49
--Taisja Jones, KSU, 12 points, 10 rebounds
--Naama Shafir, UT, 13 points, four assists
--Jamilah Humes, KSU, 16 points, six rebounds
--Stats | Recap | Photos

Women's schedule:
*No. 3 Kent State vs. No. 2 Toledo, noon
*No. 4 Akron vs. No. 1 Bowling Green, 2:30 p.m.^

Men's schedule:
*No. 7 Western Michigan vs. No. 3 Akron, 7 p.m.
*No. 9 Ohio vs. No. 4 Miami, 9:30 p.m.^

^Times are approximate and games will start 30 minutes after end of previous game

*Harner's semifinals picks

Friday's top performer:
*David Kool, WMU, 39 points, six rebounds, five 3-pointers

Honorable mention:
*Armon Bassett, OU, 28 points
*Chris McKnight, UA, 18 points, game-winning basket, eight rebounds
*Lauren Prochaska, BG, 17 points, five rebounds
*Taisja Jones, KSU, 12 points, 10 rebounds

Friday's top moment:
*Bassett leads Ohio to another upset

Honorable mention:
*Falcon women to play for MAC title -- again.
*Chris McKnight hits late basket to put Akron in title game
*Toledo women hold on to play BG for MAC title

Thursday, March 11, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*No. 1 seed Kent State eliminated.
*Three ejections in Akron/EMU quarterfinal: UA's Anthony Hitchens, EMU's Brandon Bowdry and EMU coach Charles Ramsey
*David Kool sets Western Michigan record for points in a season
*Teams eliminated today: No. 2 Central Michigan, No. 6 Eastern Michigan, No. 1 Kent State, No. 5 Buffalo
*Semifinal matchup set: No. 7 Western Michigan vs. No. 3 Akron (Friday at 7 p.m.)
*Semifinal matchup set: No. 9 Ohio vs. No. 4 Miami (Friday at approximately 9:30 p.m.)

Results:
*No. 4 Miami 73, No. 5 Buffalo 59
--Kenny Hayes, UM, 27 points
--Sean Smiley, UB, 14 points, four 3-pointers
--Julian Mavunga, UM, 16 points, six assists, four rebounds
--Calvin Betts, UB, 11 rebounds, seven points
--Stats | Recap

*No. 9 Ohio 81, No. 1 Kent State 64
--Armon Bassett, OU, 38 points, 16-of-16 free throws, seven assists, five rebounds
--DeVaughn Washington, OU, 19 points, eight rebounds
--Chris Singletary, KSU, 19 points, three rebounds, three assists
--Anthony Simpson, KSU, 12 points, eight rebounds
--Stats | Recap

*No. 3 Akron 97, No. 5 EMU 89 (2OT)
--Carlos Medlock, EMU, 42 points, eight rebounds
--Steve McNees, UA, 18 points (3-pointer to tie game in OT), 4-for-4 on 3-pointers, five assists, three steals
--Zeke Marshall, UA, 13 points, nine rebounds, six blocks
--Brandon Bowdry, EMU, 21 points, 14 rebounds
--Anthony Hitchens, UA, 16 points, five rebounds, four assists
--Stats | Recap

*No. 7 WMU 69, No. 2 CMU 60
--David Kool, WMU, 26 points (24 in second half), four rebounds, three assists, two steals
--Flenard Whitfield, WMU, 12 points, 12 rebounds
--Robbie Harman, CMU, 20 points
--Amir Rashid, CMU 14 points, three assists, three steals, three rebounds
--Stats | Recap

Men's schedule
*No. 7 Western Michigan vs. No. 2 Central Michigan, noon
*No. 6 Eastern Michigan vs. No. 3 Akron, 2 p.m.^
*No. 9 Ohio vs. No. 1 Kent State, 7 p.m.
*No. 5 Buffalo vs. No. 4 Miami, 9 p.m.^
*Harner's picks

^Times are approximate and games will start 30 minutes after end of previous game

Thursday's co-top performers:
*Carlos Medlock, EMU, 42 points, eight rebounds
*Armon Bassett, OU, 38 points, 16-of-16 free throws, seven assists, five rebounds

Honorable mention:
*David Kool, WMU, 26 points (24 in second half), four rebounds, three assists, two steals
*Kenny Hayes, UM, 27 points
*Steve McNees, UA, 18 points (3-pointer to tie game in OT), 4-for-4 on 3-pointers, five assists, three steals
*Brandon Bowdry, EMU, 21 points, 14 rebounds

Thursday's top moment:
*Armon Bassett scores 38 points to help No. 9 Ohio upset No. 1 Kent State

Honorable mention:
*Ejections and technicals mar No. 3 Akron's double-overtime win
*David Kool scores 24 of team's 47 second half points as No. 7 Western Michigan upsets No. Central Michigan

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*BG's Scott Thomas named All-MAC Honorable Mention
*Women's teams eliminated today: No. 7 Ball State, No. 6 Central Michigan, No. 8 Miami, No. 5 Eastern Michigan
*Women's semifinal matchup set: No. 2 Toledo vs. No. 3 Kent State
*Women's semifinal matchup set: No. 1 BG vs. No 4. Akron

Results:
*No. 4 Akron 72, No. 5 Eastern Michigan 46
--Kara Murphy, UA, 19 points
--Ayla Guzzardo, UA, 13 points, four assists, two steals
--Tavelyn James, EMU, 17 points
--Stats | Recap

*No. 1 BG 91, No. 8 Miami 58
--Tara Breske, BG, 20 points, six rebounds
--Lauren Prochaska, BG, 15 points, five rebounds, two steals
--Jen Uhl, BG, 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists
--Kirstin Olowinski, MU, 14 points, seven rebounds
--Courtney Osborn, MU, 10 points, four assists
--Stats | Recap | Feature

*No. 3 Kent State 68, No. 6 Central Michigan 55
--Jamilah Humes, KSU, 24 points (22 in second half), nine rebounds
--Taisja Jones, KSU, 10 points, 11 rebounds
--Kaihla Szunko, CMU, 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals
--Yoshica Spears, KSU, 12 points, nine rebounds, five steals
--Stats | Recap

*No. 2 Toledo 67, No. 7 Ball State 56
--Melissa Goodall, UT, 14 points, 11 rebounds
--Naama Shafir, UT, 18 points, seven assists
--Tanika Mays, UT, 14 points, six rebounds
--Ty'Ronda Benning, BSU, 16 points, six assists
--Audrey McDonald, BSU, 14 points, six rebounds
--Stats | Recap

Women's schedule:
*No. 7 Ball State vs. No. 2 Toledo, noon
*No. 6 Central Michigan vs. No. 3 Kent State, 2:25 p.m.^
*No. 8 Miami vs. No. 1 Bowling Green, 4:55 p.m.^
*No. 5 Eastern Michigan vs. No. 4 Akron, 7:10 p.m.^
*Harner's picks

^Times are approximate and games will start 30 minutes after end of previous game

Wednesday's top performer
*Jamilah Humes, KSU, 24 points (22 in second half), nine rebounds

Honorable mention:
*Melissa Goodall, UT, 14 points, 11 rebounds
*Tara Breske, BG, 20 points, six rebounds
*Taisja Jones, KSU, 10 points, 11 rebounds
*Kaihla Szunko, CMU, 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals

Wednesday's top moment
*Falcons shoot 65 percent from 3-point range during 33-point blowout against Miami

Honorable mention
*Toledo wins; will make 20th semifinals appearance
*Kent State's Jamilah Humes scores 22 second-half points and scores 1,000th point of her career
*Akron earns first MAC Tournament win since 2001; advances to second semifinal in school history

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

MAC Tournament News
*Lauren Prochaska repeats as women's MAC Player of the Year
*Akron's Jodi Kest named MAC women's Coach of the Year.
*Women's All-MAC selections and specialty awards announced.
*Three more men's basketball awards handed out.

Schedule:
*No games

Monday, March 8, 2010

MAC Tournament News
*David Kool named MAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year
*Geno Ford named MAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year

Schedule:
*No games

Sunday, March 7, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*Women's team eliminated: Ohio
*Men's teams eliminated: BG, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Toledo
*Lauren Prochaska (BG) and Tavelyn James (EMU) named the final MAC Women's Basketball Players of the Week.
*Anthony Simpson (KSU) and Robbie Harman (CMU) named the final MAC Men's Basketball Players of the Week.

Women's results
*No. 6 Central Michigan 69, No. 11 Ohio 66
--Kaihla Szunko, CMU, 25 points, 11 rebounds
--Thia Gholston, OU, 16 points, 10 rebounds
--Jenny Poff, OU, 17 points, five 3-pointers, four steals
--Shonda Long, CMU, 12 points, seven rebounds
--Stats | Recap

Men's Results:
*No. 7 Western Michigan 75, No. 10 BG 73
--David Kool, WMU, 20 points, six rebounds, five assists
--Scott Thomas, BG, 23 points, four assists
--Flenard Whitfield, WMU, 19 points, six rebounds
--Marc Larson, BG, 12 points, 11 rebounds
--Stats | Recap

*No. 9 Ohio 85, No. 8 Ball State 77 (OT)
--Armon Bassett, OU, 25 points
--D.J. Cooper, OU, 12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists
--Randy Davis, BSU, 21 points, five assists
--Stats | Recap

*No. 5 Buffalo 72, No. 10 Toledo 54
--Max Boudreau, UB, 18 points, six rebounds
--Jake Barnett, UT, 14 points, nine rebounds
--Stats | Recap

*No. 5 Eastern Michigan 65, No. 11 Northern Illinois 59
--Brandon Bowdry, EMU, 19 points, 12 rebounds
--Sean Kowal, NIU, 15 points, 11 rebounds
--Xavier Silas, NIU, 20 points
--Stats | Recap

Men's schedule:
*No. 10 Bowling Green at No. 7 Western Michigan, 2 p.m.
*No. 11 Northern Illinois at No. 5 Eastern Michigan, 2 p.m.
*No. 9 Ohio at No. 8 Ball State, 2 p.m.
*No. 12 Toledo at No. 5 Buffalo, 2 p.m.
*For Harner's picks, click here.

Women's schedule:
No. 11 Ohio at No. 6 Central Michigan, 5 p.m.

Sunday's top performer
*Kaihla Szunko, CMU, 25 points, 11 rebounds

Honorable mention:
*David Kool, WMU, 20 points, six rebounds, five assists
*Scott Thomas, BG, 23 points, four assists
*Armon Bassett, OU, 25 points
*Brandon Bowdry, EMU, 19 points, 12 rebounds

Sunday's top moment
*Eastern Michigan men's team erases 14-point deficit to win against Northern Illinois

Honorable mention
*Ohio and Ball State battle to overtime
*BG's Marc Larson records first career double-double in final game
*Buffalo downs Toledo by MAC Tournament school-record 18 points

Saturday, March 6, 2010

MAC Tournament news:
*Teams eliminated: No. 9 Northern Illinois, No. 10 Western Michigan and No. 12 Buffalo

Results:
*No. 7 BSU 67, No. 10 WMU 43
--Ty'Ronda Benning, BSU, 13 points, six assists
--Audrey McDonald, BSU, 13 points
--Miame Giden, WMU, 13 points
--Recap | Stats

*No. 5 EMU 66, No. 12 UB 56
--Cassie Schrock, EMU, 27 points, four steals
--Kourtney Brown, UB, 19 points, 16 rebounds
--Lindsey Mahone, EMU, 10 rebounds, nine points
--Recap | Stats

*No. 8 Miami 67, No. 9 NIU 66
--Mauvolyene Adams, NIU, 18 points, 18 rebounds
--Maggie Boyer, UM, 18 points, five assists
--Kirsten Olowinski, UM, 17 points, seven rebounds
--Recap | Stats

Schedule:
*No. 9 Northern Illinois at No. 8 Miami, 1 p.m.
*No. 10 Western Michigan at No. 7 Ball State, 2 p.m.
*No. 12 Buffalo at No. 5 Eastern Michigan, 2 p.m.
*For Harner's picks, click here.

Saturday's top performer
*Cassie Schrock, EMU, 27 points, four steals

Honorable mention:
*Mauvolyene Adams, NIU, 18 points, 18 rebounds
*Kourtney Brown, UB, 19 points, 16 rebounds

Saturday's top moment
*Miami rallies to take lead with 2:27 left in game to win

Honorable mention
*Cassie Schrock scores career-high 27 points for Eastern Michigan
*Western Michigan coach Tasha McDowel called for a technical foul in loss to Ball State

Third time's a charm? Falcons and Rockets to meet for title

2010-03-13T05:05:00Z

The Falcons bench celebrates after the team earned a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game. (Christina McGinnis)
CLEVELAND -- The Falcon women's basketball team will look to win a Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game Saturday afternoon.

After having lost the past two title games, top-seed BG will face second-seeded Toledo - which defeated the Falcons 66-63 in their only regular season matchup this season - at 1 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland

"We've been here before. We've won three MAC championships, but we're also lost in three MAC championships," said BG coach Curt Miller. "We've got to win this thing to go (to the NCAA Tournament), so we're looking forward to the matchup.

"I think we're the most consistent team and over the course of a long year our preparation and our approach to each and every game handling the bull's-eye allowed us to be the MAC (regular-season) champion. I believe they (Toledo) are the most talented team. They have weapons in every position and they have a lot of mismatch opportunities against us.

"I don't know if we have to play our 'A' game, but we better play 'B-plus' in order to beat Toledo."]]>
Now that she has her chance, Nurse hopes she can make her mark.

"It's an opportunity," Nurse said. "Nothing is set in stone. We need to come out and play and execute a game plan to make that a reality."

The rest of the team's seniors - center Tara Breske, forward Laura Bugher and forward Sarah Clapper - were members of the last Falcon team that made the NCAA Tournament.

After earning one last opportunity to play for an NCAA Tournament bid, Breske said returning to the NCAA Tournament would be a good career capstone.

"I'm excited," Breske said. "I came here freshman year and made a trip to the Sweet Sixteen. We have Toledo ahead of us and a big challenge on our backs. Going out senior year, I would enjoy to do that again."

But to do so, they will have to beat a tough Toledo team, which will be quite a test even though they haven't been playing up to par toward the end of the season.

The Rockets lost two of their final four regular season games and struggled shooting and handling the ball against Kent State in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament on Friday.

In a 51-49 win against the Flashes, Toledo shot 38.9 percent from the field and made just 4-of-14 free throws while also committing 18 turnovers.

"I'm just glad time ran out," said Toledo coach Tricia Cullop. "I'm proud that we put ourselves in a good position because we needed it the way we fumbled the ball around and missed free throws at the end."

Meanwhile, the Falcons have been playing well in all facets of their game, as they have shot have 50 percent from the field (63-of-126) and 59.5 percent from 3-point range (22-of-37) while also scoring 70 of their 172 points in the paint.

Unlikely final: No. 9 Ohio to meet No. 3 Akron for MAC championship

2010-03-13T05:00:00Z

In a year when almost every fan of Mid-American Conference men's basketball expected Kent State to represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament, an unlikely duo will duke it out Saturday for that right.

Ninth-seeded Ohio and third-seeded Akron will battle for the title Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

The upstart Bobcats have been led throughout the tournament by Armon Bassett, who has averaged 30.3 points per game in Ohio's upsets of eighth-seeded Ball State, top-seed Kent State and fourth-seeded Miami.

Akron counters with a cast of players who can score. Steve McNees led the team in scoring during a double-overtime quarterfinal win against fifth-seed Eastern Michigan, and Chris McKnight led the team in scoring against seventh-seed Western Michigan in the semifinals.

Zeke Marshall, Jimmy Conyers and Anthony Hitchens have also played well for the Zips during the tournament.

The last nine-seed to play for a MAC title was Miami in 2000.