Bowling Green upsets Central Michigan 62-59 in MAC quarters

Mar 10, 2017, 05:14 pm

CLEVELAND -- Antwon Lillard drained a 3-pointer with 12.3 seconds left as Bowling Green pulled off its second upset in the Mid-American Conference tournament by knocking off Central Michigan 62-59 in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Lillard's shot from the top of the key gave him 26 points and the No. 12 seeded Falcons (16-17) a 60-59 lead. Bowling Green forced a turnover on Central Michigan's next possession and Ismail Ali made two free throws to make it 62-59.

The Chippewas (17-15) had one last chance but Bowling Green's JD Tisdale picked off the inbounds pass near mid-court. The Falcons, who won at No. 5 Kent State on Monday to make the quarters, went into the stands to celebrate with their fans. They'll meet top-seeded Akron in Friday's semifinals.

Chris Fowler scored 16 points and Braylon Rayson 13 for the fourth-seeded Chippewas, who went 4 of 10 from the free-throw line in the final four minutes.