Bowling Green State University’s women’s basketball team opened their regular season with a win over the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 82-67, in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge on Monday night at the Cajundome.
Paige Kohler led all scorers with 18 points. Lauren Gerken recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Taya Ellis also contributed 11 points and seven rebounds. Johnea Donahue and Ky’Aira Miller each added nine points.
The Falcons started the second half strong, scoring on their first four possessions to extend a two-point halftime lead into double digits. Their advantage remained between eight and eleven points for most of the third quarter, before Miller’s three-pointer increased the lead to 13 late in the period.
In the fourth quarter, Bowling Green’s lead grew to as much as 20 points after two free throws by Kohler with just over four minutes left. Louisiana responded with nine straight points, but Miller made two free throws and a layup to restore a 15-point margin.
Amijah Price led Louisiana with 17 points. Mikayla Manley scored 15 and Jazmyne Jackson had 13 for the hosts.
Bowling Green shot 52 percent from the field (27-for-52) despite committing 22 turnovers. The Falcons drew fouls effectively, making 23 of their 29 free throw attempts compared to Louisiana’s seven makes on fourteen attempts. Kohler was particularly efficient from the line, hitting twelve of fourteen attempts.
Twelve players saw action for Bowling Green, with eleven scoring. The Falcons held advantages in rebounding (36-34), points in the paint (44-34), and bench scoring (34-26).
With this result, Bowling Green improved its record in MAC-Sun Belt Challenge games to three wins and two losses, having won its last three matchups against Sun Belt opponents. The team now holds an all-time record of seventeen wins and six losses against Sun Belt Conference schools.
The game featured frequent fouls early on, with both teams called for seven fouls each in the first quarter. Donahue scored Bowling Green’s first five points, while Jaedyn Cook helped close an early gap. By halftime, Bowling Green led by two despite committing more turnovers than Louisiana.
After halftime, Bowling Green built momentum quickly through efficient offense and defensive stops. In the final quarter, timely plays from Donahue and Miller helped secure the victory despite a late run by Louisiana.
Bowling Green will continue its stretch of road games against South Carolina on Friday night at Colonial Life Arena. Upcoming away games include Wisconsin on November 12 and Marquette on November 14 before participating in the Great Alaska Shootout later in November. The team’s home opener is scheduled for November 30 against Purdue Fort Wayne at Stroh Center.
For updates on Bowling Green women’s basketball, fans can follow official accounts on Facebook (@BGWBB), Twitter/X (@BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUWBB), Instagram (@bgsuwbb), or visit BGSUFalcons.com.
