Muncie, IN -- The Ball State Cardinals put themselves back on the Indiana basketball map Saturday. After defeating the Sycamores 80-74 in overtime, the Cardinals restored confidence in themselves and fans.
Ball State put together its best 40 minute performance of the year en route to the six point victory that brought their record to .500 at 4-4.
"That was a terrific game played by two teams that refused to quit," Cardinal coach Tim Buckley said, "This is something for us to build on, because there were times in the game where we could have folded out tent."
The Cardinals found themselves in a early hole in the first half when their defense and offense looked flat resulting in a 11-2 deficit. But Ball State regained its composure and was within two points at half time, 39-71. The late first half surge was due largely in part to Theron Smith, who sparked a 7-0 run with two key buckets. Junior power forward Josh Murray sent the Cardinals into the half with a buzzer beating jumper from the right baseline. The run was just what the Cardinals needed.
The second half provided the stage for drama. The Sycamores began a barrage of three-point arsenal attacks on the Cardinals with about 13 minutes left in the game.
ISU guard Michael Menser nailed three of his six three-pointers in that six minute span. Despite the hot shooting from behind the arc ISU only relinquished a 5-point lead, 61-56 with 6:38 remaining in regulation. But this time the Cardinals didn't fold like have so many times earlier in the season. They responded.
Enter Lonnie Jones.
Jones provided inside intimidation on defense and offense that made ISU rely on their outside shooting. This time they were cold. After switching Billy Lynch for Patrick Jackson on the defensive end of Menser the Cardinals held Menser scoreless for the final 13 minutes of the game.
"We switched Lynch because Jackson was getting fatigued," Buckley said. "Billy will not get screened. We took Menser out of his shot a little bit."
With Menser seemingly out of the game, Ball State began to take control of the game. The Cardinals finished off regulation by hitting 7 of 11 shoots from the field and did a superb job on the defensive end.
Ball State would have to rely on Murray, who is noted for poor free throw shooting, to come through in the clutch. Murray hit 2 free throws with about a minute left in the game to pull the Cardinals within 1, 67-66. A free throw by Smith forced the game into overtime despite ISU failed attempt to win at the buzzer.
The Cardinals wasted little time after the overtime tip, giving themselves a 6 point cushion over ISU.
The overtime session was highlighted by Jones' high-flying rebound dunk with just over one minute to play that gave the Cardinals a 77-71 advantage that wouldn't be given back.
The Cardinals placed four of their 7 players in double digits. Jones ended the game with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. Smith had 14 points and 5 rebounds. Murray came up big shooting 8-of-11 with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jackson added 21 points despite a lackluster shooting performance (8-17), 5 assists and gave up only 1 turnover.
