Poor-shooting BG women fall at Eastern Michigan

2/20/2005

YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Bowling Green women couldn't overcome one of their worst shooting halves of the season in dropping a 57-52 decision at Eastern Michigan last night.

The Falcons, who saw a five-game winning streak snapped, shot just 27.6 percent from the floor in the first half. BG's loss, which deprived it of a bid to claim a share of the Mid-American Conference's West Division title, dropped its record to 17-7 overall and 10-3 in the MAC.

Eastern Michigan, which has won five in a row at home and five straight against the Falcons, is 19-5 and 9-4.

"This game really mirrored the first game [we played against Eastern Michigan]," BG coach Curt Miller said.

"In that first game we never were able to get over the hump. I felt if we could tie or take the lead, we'd have a chance to go on a run.

"But whenever we would get close, they would have a go-to player who had the ability to go to the foul line or make a big play."

The Falcons cut Eastern Michigan's lead to two points five times in the second half, then shaved the advantage to a single point when Carin Horne made a 3-pointer from the top of the key that made the score 53-52 with just 30 seconds to play.

But on the next possession the Eagles broke BG's full-court pressure and got the ball downcourt to a wide-open Nikki Knapp.

Knapp made a layup, was fouled and made the free throw that broke the Falcons' back.

In the first half the Falcons made just 8 of 29 shots from the floor, including only 1 of 11 3-pointers.

The only time BG shot worse in a first half was when the Falcons made just 6 of 32 at Kent State, Bowling Green's only other road loss in the league this season.

The Falcons also committed eight turnovers in the half to add to their offensive woes.

"We missed some 3s coming out of the gate, and I thought that made us a little tentative against their zone," Miller said. "We missed some shots we usually make. They play the game really physically, and nothing came easy for us."

Ali Mann led the Falcons with 16 points, while Horne had 13 and Liz Honegger added 10.

Eastern Michigan's Ryan Coleman led all scorers with 18 points, while Knapp had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Melis Ulker scored 11 points.