Bowling Green State University’s men’s basketball team secured a 71-66 win over Bucknell on Monday afternoon in Fort Myers, Florida, as part of the Fort Myers Tip-Off tournament. The Falcons improved their season record to 4-2 and will next face VMI on Wednesday.
The game saw Bowling Green take control early with a decisive 19-1 run in the first half, building a lead that they maintained throughout the contest. Javon Ruffin led the team with 15 points, all coming from three-point shots, making five triples in his first start for the Falcons. Sam Towns also scored 15 points and was perfect at the free throw line, converting all eight attempts. Javontae Campbell contributed 14 points and recorded six steals.
“Javon Ruffin made his first start as a Falcon and made it count. He scored a season-high 15 points for the Falcons, all from three, while adding four assists. He tied for the team-lead in both stats. Ruffin is also the first Falcon with five three-pointers in a game this season.”
“Sam Towns tied Ruffin for the team lead in scoring with 15. Towns went a perfect 8-for-8 from the line while adding four rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. His eight makes at the line set a new career-high.”
“Javontae Campbell kept his double-digit scoring streak going, logging 14 points for BGSU. He’s now the only Falcon this year with double-digit points in each game. Campbell also swiped a team-high six steals, giving him 28 on the season through just six games.”
“Justin Thomas filled the stat sheet for the Falcons, doing a little of everything. He scored nine points while leading the team in rebounds with seven and tying for the team lead in assists with four. Thomas added a trio of steals and a block as well.”
Bowling Green’s defense played an important role by forcing 18 turnovers and collecting 12 steals against Bucknell. The team’s defensive performance continued their streak of forcing at least 11 steals and 18 turnovers per game this season.
The victory marked Bowling Green’s first-ever meeting and win against Bucknell, making them the program’s 271st unique opponent defeated.
The Falcons will continue their participation in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Wednesday against VMI.
