With just 4.7 seconds . . .
Western Michigan's three-point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark, allowing Bowling Green to improve to 16-10 (7-6 MAC) on the season. WMU fell to 15-11 (7-6 MAC) with the loss.
BGSU took an 80-79 lead with 1:13 to play after freshman forward Derek Koch hit a pair of free throws. WMU's Thomas Wilder answered with two free throws just 13 seconds later, giving the Broncos a one-point advantage.
After a missed BGSU jumper, the Falcons played clean defense, forced a stop, and controlled the defensive rebound with just 17 seconds to play. The Falcons elected not to use a timeout, dribbling the ball up court. Lillard eventually got the ball on the wing opposite of the BGSU bench. Wilder ten fouled him (to foul out of the game), setting up Lillard's three made free throws.
"We've been making the plays late [in games]," BGSU head coach Michael Huger said. "It's been different guys stepping up at different times, and making the right decisions late. A couple of those close games we had earlier helped us out to help finish these games."
Falcons guard Justin Turner connected on 11 of 13 shots, including 2 of 3 from outside the arc, and 5 of 6 free throws for a gme-high 29 points. He was joined in double figures by Antwon Lillard (18) and Demajeo Wiggins (13 points, 12 rebounds).
Wilder paced the visiting Broncos with 18 points, followed by Josh Davis (15) and Brandon Johnson (11).
NEXT:
Bowling Green heads to Buffalo on Friday (Feb. 16) night to face the top team in the MAC in the Bulls. The game will be aired live on ESPNU. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.
Western Michigan will be at Northern Illinois Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET)
(Courtesy of BGSU Athletics)