BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Led by senior Zack Denny's heroics and career-high 30 points, the Bowling Green Falcons defeated arch-rival Toledo, 104-100, in double overtime Saturday at the Stroh Center. A crowd of 2,676 witnessed BGSU's first win over Toledo since Feb. 11, 2012. The victory also snapped Toledo's five-game winning streak over the Falcons.
Resilience was a key for the hosts as Bowling Green erased a seven-point deficit in the first overtime and a five-point deficit in the second overtime. The Falcons also trailed by seven points midway through the second half.
Toledo appeared to . . .
Resilience was a key for the hosts as Bowling Green erased a seven-point deficit in the first overtime and a five-point deficit in the second overtime. The Falcons also trailed by seven points midway through the second half.
Toledo appeared to . . .
. . . have the game wrapped up after Jonathan Williams hit three free throws to give the Rockets an 87-80 lead with just 1:48 to go in the first overtime.
However, senior Wes Alcegaire, who finished with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting, scored six-straight points, including a jumper to pull the Falcons within a single point at 87-86 with 40 seconds to go.
Toledo's Jaelan Sanford answered with a fade-away jumper as the shot clock expired and 12 seconds left in the period. The jumper gave Toledo an 89-86 lead. Bowling Green then rushed the ball past half court and called a timeout.
BGSU head coach Michael Huger set up a play that gave Denny a wide-open triple. He hit the three-pointer from the right wing to tie the score at 89-89 with six seconds left. Sanford went coast-to-coast for Toledo, and his shot appeared to be sliding in, but it popped out, and the game went to double overtime.
In the second OT, the Rockets again jumped in front, building a 94-89 advantage less than a minute into the session. However, Alcegaire converted on a three-pointer, and then Ismail Ali, who had 10 points, seven assists and just one turnover, scored a tough layup to knot the game at 94-94 with 2:54 to go.
UT's Jordan Lauf put the Rockets back on top, 97-94, on Toledo's 14th three-pointer of the game. After that, Denny completely took over and scored Bowling Green's final 10 points of the contest.
With the Falcons down by three, he hit two free throws to bring the BGSU within one with two minutes to go. Sanford countered with a layup, but Denny tied the score at 99-99, connectin on another three-ball with just 1:18 to go.
Luke Knapke of Toledo split a pair of free throws with 46 seconds remaining. However, Denny responded with the game-winning triple. His 3-point goal gave BG a 102-100 lead with 28 seconds left on the clock.
Sanford attempted a desperation three-ball on the other. That shot hit the front rim and Toledo got the rebound, but Denny's pressure forced a Sanford back-court violation. The Falcons successfully inbounded the basketball to Denny, who subsequently hit two game-sealing free throws for his 29th and 30th points of the game.
To go along with his career-high 30 points, Denny added seven rebounds and six steals. He went 8-for-11 from the floor, and a perfect 5-for-5 from deep. He also went 9-for-11 from the charity stripe. Alcegaire went 2-for-2 from behind the long line, and also chipped in with five rebounds.
Toledo native Demajeo Wiggins scored 14 second-half points to finish with 16 points and seven rebounds. He went 7-for-13 from the field, and also contributed with two steals. Fellow sophomore Antwon Lillard went 4-for-8, and posted 12 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block.
Steve Taylor Jr. registered a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead UT. Joining him in double figures were Jonathan Williams (24), Jaelan Sanford 21 and Nate Navigato (16). Jordan Lauf chipped in nine points and seven boards.
NEXT:
Bowling Green heads to Kent State and Toledo hosts Eastern Michigan Tuesday (7 p.m. ET)
However, senior Wes Alcegaire, who finished with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting, scored six-straight points, including a jumper to pull the Falcons within a single point at 87-86 with 40 seconds to go.
Toledo's Jaelan Sanford answered with a fade-away jumper as the shot clock expired and 12 seconds left in the period. The jumper gave Toledo an 89-86 lead. Bowling Green then rushed the ball past half court and called a timeout.
BGSU head coach Michael Huger set up a play that gave Denny a wide-open triple. He hit the three-pointer from the right wing to tie the score at 89-89 with six seconds left. Sanford went coast-to-coast for Toledo, and his shot appeared to be sliding in, but it popped out, and the game went to double overtime.
In the second OT, the Rockets again jumped in front, building a 94-89 advantage less than a minute into the session. However, Alcegaire converted on a three-pointer, and then Ismail Ali, who had 10 points, seven assists and just one turnover, scored a tough layup to knot the game at 94-94 with 2:54 to go.
UT's Jordan Lauf put the Rockets back on top, 97-94, on Toledo's 14th three-pointer of the game. After that, Denny completely took over and scored Bowling Green's final 10 points of the contest.
With the Falcons down by three, he hit two free throws to bring the BGSU within one with two minutes to go. Sanford countered with a layup, but Denny tied the score at 99-99, connectin on another three-ball with just 1:18 to go.
Luke Knapke of Toledo split a pair of free throws with 46 seconds remaining. However, Denny responded with the game-winning triple. His 3-point goal gave BG a 102-100 lead with 28 seconds left on the clock.
Sanford attempted a desperation three-ball on the other. That shot hit the front rim and Toledo got the rebound, but Denny's pressure forced a Sanford back-court violation. The Falcons successfully inbounded the basketball to Denny, who subsequently hit two game-sealing free throws for his 29th and 30th points of the game.
To go along with his career-high 30 points, Denny added seven rebounds and six steals. He went 8-for-11 from the floor, and a perfect 5-for-5 from deep. He also went 9-for-11 from the charity stripe. Alcegaire went 2-for-2 from behind the long line, and also chipped in with five rebounds.
Toledo native Demajeo Wiggins scored 14 second-half points to finish with 16 points and seven rebounds. He went 7-for-13 from the field, and also contributed with two steals. Fellow sophomore Antwon Lillard went 4-for-8, and posted 12 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block.
Steve Taylor Jr. registered a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead UT. Joining him in double figures were Jonathan Williams (24), Jaelan Sanford 21 and Nate Navigato (16). Jordan Lauf chipped in nine points and seven boards.
NEXT:
Bowling Green heads to Kent State and Toledo hosts Eastern Michigan Tuesday (7 p.m. ET)
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