In front of the Friday night crowd in Rupp Arena, the Purples took on the McCracken County Mustangs. The Mustangs came to Rupp from the first region, and upset Wayne County on Thursday.Both teams appeared to be finding their way in Rupp Arena in the first quarter, but Bowling Green was able to string together a 9 point run to cap off the first quarter and start the second. The Purples were looking good with a seven point lead midway through the second before McCracken answered with a 13 point run through the remainder of the half. BG got a couple free throws before heading into the locker room trailing 21-25.
Then McCracken County changed their strategy in the second half, extending every possession to hold on to their lead. They were up by as much as seven in the third quarter, and even though Bowling Green outscored the Mustangs in the period, they still trailed by three heading into the fourth. The coaching staff for the Purples made a few changes that turned the game around, putting Malik Carothers on their point guard Chumbler, and using Blue Tisdale to drive around their bigs. Tisdale a huge three point play to bring the Purples within one, then Tucker Sine knocked down two big threes to take the lead and then extend it to a two possession game, and the Purples did not look back. BG knocked down their free throws late to seal the win 64-58! Tucker Sine led the way for the Purples with 19, and was named the player of the game.
The Purples are now in the Final Four! We’re in the late game tomorrow night in Rupp Arena! Can BG find their way to a Sunday Matinee for the championship? Tune in to PurplesNation.com to find out!
