Second half defensive lapses send Falcons to third loss of the season
By: Colin Wilson
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Sports
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ROCHESTER, Mich. - For the second time in three games, the BG men's basketball team was undone by its defense in the second half. The Falcons (4-3) fell 90-80 on Saturday to Oakland (3-4), mostly due to allowing a field goal percentage of 66 in the second half.
BG led at halftime 37-34. The Grizzlies shot just 35 percent in the first half, including 1-of-11 from 3-point range.
But in the second half, Oakland came out firing and the Falcons couldn't keep up.
"We can't go and play tag with a good offensive team like Oakland that averages 77 points per game on the road and trade baskets," said BG coach Louis Orr.
The Grizzlies were paced by point guard Jonathan Jones in the second half. The 5-foot-11-inch Jones scored 23 of his 31 points in the second half. He was 7-of-9 from the field and made all seven free-throw attempts.
No matter who the Falcons put on him, Jones found a way to score.
"That was on me," said BG guard Darryl Clements. "I got him going in the second half. It's hard to stop a shooter when he gets going."
Neither Clements nor backup point guard Joe Jakubowski could stay in front of Jones.
"He was the difference," Orr said.
And when the Falcon posts stepped out to stop Jones' drives, he found the open man. He finished the day with four assists.
The lapse in defense in the second half was reminiscent of the Falcons loss against Temple Nov. 24 at Anderson Arena. The Owls shot 68 percent in the second half and cruised to a 72-55 victory.
"You've got to take it to another level," Orr said. "Good teams, that's what they do.
"They don't just have good first halves, they get stronger."
This time BG wasted a 54 percent shooting performance.
"I think we just had a little mental breakdown at the end on defense," Clements said. "Offensively we were good but our defense just wasn't there tonight."
BG also battled foul trouble throughout the entire game. At halftime, centers Marc Larson (2) and Otis Polk (3) were both limited.
"It shortens the bench," Orr said. "We have been getting a lot out of our bigs, but they got into foul trouble today."
Polk had four fouls in eight minutes of play while Larson had three in 15 minutes. BG was forced to play Nate Miller for 37 minutes and Chris Knight for 30.
The two posts didn't waste the opportunity with 21 and 23 points respectively, but the defense seemed tired at times. The Falcons allowed 36 points in the paint and committed 23 fouls. Oakland took advantage by sinking 28-of-33 free throws in the game.
Knight's 23 led the Falcons. Miller added seven assists and five rebounds to his 21 points. Clements scored 13 in the first half, but was shut out in the second. Ryne Hamblet added 11 points, seven assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Falcons play next at Northern Colorado on Thursday at 9:05 p.m. EST.
BG led at halftime 37-34. The Grizzlies shot just 35 percent in the first half, including 1-of-11 from 3-point range.
But in the second half, Oakland came out firing and the Falcons couldn't keep up.
"We can't go and play tag with a good offensive team like Oakland that averages 77 points per game on the road and trade baskets," said BG coach Louis Orr.
The Grizzlies were paced by point guard Jonathan Jones in the second half. The 5-foot-11-inch Jones scored 23 of his 31 points in the second half. He was 7-of-9 from the field and made all seven free-throw attempts.
No matter who the Falcons put on him, Jones found a way to score.
"That was on me," said BG guard Darryl Clements. "I got him going in the second half. It's hard to stop a shooter when he gets going."
Neither Clements nor backup point guard Joe Jakubowski could stay in front of Jones.
"He was the difference," Orr said.
And when the Falcon posts stepped out to stop Jones' drives, he found the open man. He finished the day with four assists.
The lapse in defense in the second half was reminiscent of the Falcons loss against Temple Nov. 24 at Anderson Arena. The Owls shot 68 percent in the second half and cruised to a 72-55 victory.
"You've got to take it to another level," Orr said. "Good teams, that's what they do.
"They don't just have good first halves, they get stronger."
This time BG wasted a 54 percent shooting performance.
"I think we just had a little mental breakdown at the end on defense," Clements said. "Offensively we were good but our defense just wasn't there tonight."
BG also battled foul trouble throughout the entire game. At halftime, centers Marc Larson (2) and Otis Polk (3) were both limited.
"It shortens the bench," Orr said. "We have been getting a lot out of our bigs, but they got into foul trouble today."
Polk had four fouls in eight minutes of play while Larson had three in 15 minutes. BG was forced to play Nate Miller for 37 minutes and Chris Knight for 30.
The two posts didn't waste the opportunity with 21 and 23 points respectively, but the defense seemed tired at times. The Falcons allowed 36 points in the paint and committed 23 fouls. Oakland took advantage by sinking 28-of-33 free throws in the game.
Knight's 23 led the Falcons. Miller added seven assists and five rebounds to his 21 points. Clements scored 13 in the first half, but was shut out in the second. Ryne Hamblet added 11 points, seven assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Falcons play next at Northern Colorado on Thursday at 9:05 p.m. EST.
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