Young Falcons ready for first test
11/23/2002BOWLING GREEN - Despite the fact there are no returning starters and just one senior on a young Bowling Green State University men's basketball team, the Falcons will not be eased into the season. They won't be nursed along and allowed to develop before things get tough.
The Falcons open the season at 4 p.m. today at Detroit-Mercy, one of the favorites in the Horizon League. The Titans are rugged, experienced and deep - three things the Falcons are not - at least at this point. BG coach Dan Dakich wants to learn just where his team is in its development, and figured that Detroit would be as rough a measuring stick as there is.
“We set this up because we want this team to be tested,” Dakich said. “This was set up on purpose to be our first game because I wanted something demanding. I really don't know that we'll have a tougher opponent all year long.”
BG beat the Titans 77-60 last year in Anderson Arena, but only junior Kevin Netter from this year's group of Falcons scored in that game. He should work in the middle, after scoring 19 points in BG's final exhibition game. Junior Josh Almanson and sophomore John Reimold will likely be on the floor a lot, along with sophomore Germain Fitch. Jabari Mattox, a junior point guard, and Cory Ryan, the only senior, will see time in the back court along with freshman Ron Lewis.
BG's home opener is next Saturday against Tiffin.
NO. 9 MICHIGAN STATE 66,
N.C. ASHEVILLE 52
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Chris Hill scored 18 points and Aloysius Anagonye added 11 for Michigan State to a 66-52 victory over North Carolina Asheville.
PURDUE 73, MIAMI (OHIO) 46
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Kenny Lowe led five players in double figures with 12 points for Purdu. Juby Johnson scored 17 for the RedHawks.
MARSHALL 92, NIAGARA 90
LEWISTON, N.Y. - Ronald Blackshear, who had 32 points, hit a 3-pointer with 28.5 seconds left to lift Marshall. Trammell Darden led Niagara with 30 points.
OHIO STATE 106,
HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS 82
COLUMBUS - Brent Darby had 25 points and 11 assists to lead Ohio State in an exhibition game.
OWENS CC 108, ALMA JV 51
SAGINAW, Mich. - Owens Community College defeated Alma junior varsity in the first round of the Delta Tipoff Classic.
Kevin Thomas led the way with 16 points. Andrew Brown added 13, Ricardo Lucas 12 and Noah Williams 11 for the Express (8-0). Lucas had 11 rebounds. Owens meets host Delta CC today at 3 p.m.