Falcons start cold in losing to Marist in tourney opener

11/23/2013

COLUMBUS — Bowling Green suffered its first loss of the season on Friday, a 74-60 setback to Marist in the first round of the Basketball Hall of Fame Challenge at Value City Arena.

The Falcons (4-1) struggled to score to start the game, shooting just 10 of 29 (35 percent) in the opening half and trailed 32-26 at halftime.

The Red Foxes (1-3) came out of halftime hot, shooting 14 of 25 (56 percent) from the field, including 4-of-9 from the 3-point line.

Alexis Rogers and Jillian Halfhill paced Bowling Green with 16 points each. Rogers grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the team.

Halfhill hit four 3-pointers and Rogers added three from beyond the arc. Erica Donovan was the third Falcons player to score in double figures, adding 14 points with three 3-pointers.

Bowling Green took a brief 53-52 lead in the second half, but Marist responded with a 7-0 run, which allowed them to take control of the game. A 3-pointer from Donovan cut the Marist lead to 59-56, but a quick layup and a 3-pointer for the Red Foxes extended the lead to eight points.

Madeline Blais scored 24 points to lead Marist, while Emma O'Connor added 17 points and Leanne Ockenden had 16 points.

The Red Foxes had an advantage at the foul line, hitting 18-23 (78 percent) for the game. Bowling Green made just 5-12 from the line (42 percent).

The Falcons play Old Dominion today for their second game in the three-day tournament and will face host Ohio State on Sunday.