March 9, 2005

Box Score

CLEVELAND - Casey McDowell hit seven three-pointers, including five in the first half, en route to a game and career-high 31 points to lead top-seeded Bowling Green to an 84-68 victory over No. 8-seed Miami in the quarterfinals of the 2005 Kraft Mid-American Conference Tournament Thursday afternoon at Gund Arena.

McConnell led three Falcons (21-7) in double figures. Her seven three-pointers (7-of-9) tied a MAC Tournament single-game record and she also was a perfect 10-of-10 from the foul line.

Ali Mann scored six points during a three-minute, 11-2 run midway through the first half that put the Falcons up by nine at 19-10. Miami (15-14) battled back with an 8-0 run later in the half to cut the lead to one before BG closed the half on a 9-2 spurt, capped by McDowell's fifth trey and a jumper by Mann, to take a nine-point lead into halftime (44-35).

The Falcons shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) in the first half, including six-of-10 from three-point range. Miami was just one-of-10 from behind the arc in the opening half and 16-of-38 overall (42.1%).

Another three by McDowell early in the second half extended Bowling Green's lead to 12 at 51-39. Miami got within four points, 60-54, with 6:38 to go but less than a minute later, the Falcons lead was 11. Bowling Green then sealed the victory by hitting all 12 of its free throws in the final five minutes.

In addition to McDowell, Kate Archer added 16 points, six assists and five steals while Mann scored15 points, including 12 in the first half. Liz Honegger chipped in with nine points and led all players with 11 rebounds. Mann grabbed eight boards to help the Falcons to a 38-35 edge on the glass.

Cindi Merrill led Miami with 24 points, hitting 11-of-21 from the field. Amanda Jackson scored 16 and Sarah Hull added 11 off the bench for the RedHawks. As a team, Miami was just 2-of-21 from three-point range in the game.

Bowling Green was 23-of-25 from the foul line, including a perfect 17-of-17 in the second half.