BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Ethan Scardina scored late and Bowling Green won a seesaw affair 4-3 Friday night over Minnesota State at Slater Family Ice Arena in CCHA play. The loss prevented the Mavericks from extending its 13-game unbeaten streak against the Falcons and also snapped Bowling Green's five-game losing skid.  
 
At even strength, Sam Morton tallied his fourth goal in five games at 15:43 of the first period. Luc Wilson won a battle for the puck in the left corner and made a five-foot pass to Morton who roofed a forehand one-timer as he broke for the crease. Morton extended his CCHA-leading goal total to 17 and Wilson collected his third assist in as many outings (sixth overall).
 
The Mavericks enjoyed time in the offensive zone during their first power play and Adam Eisele's second line continued to apply pressure nearing the 15-minute mark. However, less than a minute later, Jaden Grant evened it 1-1 for the Falcons.
 
After tying up the faceoff, Grant, the BGSU center took advantage of a collision in front of goaltender Keenan Rancier. MSU defenseman Jakob Stender was taken out of the play and Grant shoveled in a backhander unassisted at 6:53.
 
Spencer Kersten wristed a shot inside the far post from the left hashmark as Bowling Green converted on the power play 2:34 into the second stanza following an interference minor against Mason Wheeler. Brett Pfoh assisted.
 
The Mavericks tied it up at even strength. Lucas Sowder found the puck loose in the high slot and fired it past Moore at 6:00. Wilson assisted. Morton nearly scored his second of the game moments later but Moore pushed to his right to stone him on the back door.
 
A turnover at the offensive blue line enabled Owen Ozar a breakaway chance and he shuffled in and flicked a backhand over Rancier's right pad for a 3-2 BGSU advantage at 16:03.
 
The Mavericks struck back just 19 seconds into the third period. Bowling Green failed to clear the defensive zone after the draw, leading to a tic-tac-toe passing play between Eisele, Josh Groll, and Brian Carrabes, who wristed a low shot on the glove side. It was the first goal for the junior since November 25 and his fifth marker of the season.
 
MSU killed a boarding minor and with 3:22 left in regulation, Brett Moravec snuck behind the defense alone but Moore snuffed out his five-hole try.
 
Scardina then settled a bouncing pass through the neutral zone from Kersten and fired it past Rancier for the winning goal with 1:03 remaining in regulation. The Mavericks failed to tie it in the final minute with an empty net.

"We didn't get the job done," said head coach Luke Strand. "The moments of truth in the game hurt us. We need to win the bookends of periods and we didn't. We need to regroup and attack Saturday on the road."
 
The Falcons outshot the Mavericks 32-25 and both teams blocked nine shots. MSU finished 0-2 on the power play while BGSU went 1-2. Kersten (1-1—2) and Wilson (0-2—2) marked multi-point efforts for their respective teams.
 
Minnesota State (11-9-3, 7-5-1 CCHA) and Bowling Green (8-15-0, 6-7-1 CCHA) conclude the series Saturday at 6:07 CT. The Mavericks entered the weekend in fourth place in the CCHA standings. Friday marked the end of a three-game winning streak for MSU.