Nov. 11, 2005

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Blacksburg, Virginia - The following are some post-game notes from Thursday night's BGSU/Western Carolina men's basketball game played at Virginia Tech's Cassell Coliseum.

The Game

The Falcons cut an 18-point deficit to two points, but could get no closer before dropping their season opener to Western Carolina, 56-50.

WCU led the entire way, but BGSU closed to 14-10 in the first half. The Catamounts scored seven straight points in the next four minutes and went into the locker room with a 31-18 lead.

In the first half, WCU made 14 of 16 free throws, while the Falcons did not make any of its four charity tosses in the first 20 minutes. BGSU shot 34.6% from the field, while WCU made 30.4% of its shots in the first 20 minutes. The Catamounts also made three of 11 three pointers (the 20' 6" variety), while BGSU did not connect on six attempts from long range.

WCU appeared in control of the game with a 49-31 advantage with 8:13 left. The Falcons used good defense and timely shooting to get back into the game as BGSU began a 12-0 run at the 5:03 and made the score 50-47 with 2:22 remaining when junior Matt Lefeld hit a pair of free throws.

After a basket by WCU upped the lead to 52-47, junior Martin Samarco drilled a three-pointer to make it 52-50 with 1:32 left, but was quickly whistled for a technical two seconds later for showing too much emotion. It was Samarco's fifth foul (he, senior Mawel Soler and sophomore Perrick Robinson all fouled out) and any momentum the Falcons had ended.

Key Stats BGSU shot 36.5% for the game, while WCU made just 28.9% of its field goal attempts (13/45).

The Catamounts outrebounded the Falcons, 41-34.

WCU made 27 of 42 free throws (64.3%), while the Falcons connected on just eight of 17 charity tosses (47.1%).

BGSU outscored WCU 28-12 inside the paint.

The 28.9 field goal percentage defense nearly bettered the Falcons' 2004-05 best effort of 28.3% allowed against Illinois-Chicago.

Player Plaudits

The only player to start last year's season opener at DePaul and tonight's season opener was sophomore Perrick Robinson. He was whistled for three quick fouls in the first half and played just three minutes. In the second half, he played 10 minutes and had two points and three assists.

Junior center Matt Lefeld led the Falcons with 14 points and tied for team honors with six rebounds. He started his first game since his freshman year (he made 12 starts in 2003-04) and set career high's tonight for points (14), rebounds (6), minutes played (25), free throws made (6) and free throws attempted (9).

Junior guard John Floyd had 10 points and made two three-pointers, which tied a career high. He also had a career-high 13 field goal attempts.

Junior forward Martin Samarco shrugged off a slow start and finished with 12 points and four rebounds. He had nine points in the second half as he played his first game with the Falcons.

Senior forward Mawel Soler had four points, five rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes.

Freshman Erik Marschall had an impressive debut with six points, six rebounds and a block in 29 minutes of action.

Junior Patrick Phillips had a basket and played a career-high 13 minutes.

Freshman Darryl Clements (three rebounds in 25 minutes) and freshman Brian Guerin (an assist and a rebound in eight minutes) both saw their first action as Falcons.

Senior Steven Wright (broken foot) and freshman Dusan Radivojevic (stress fracture) both did not suit up.

BGSU will play Virginia Tech, an 80-50 winner over Radford on Thursday night, at 1 p.m., Saturday.