Ball State fans got their first glimpse of the men's basketballteam in action Monday at Worthen Arena. And it was a good glimpse,as the Cardinals handled Team Nike, 89-69, in exhibition play.
A pair of 10-0 runs highlighted the Cards effort in the firsthalf. The first one gave Ball State the lead for good (15-10), andthe second came after the Nike team had pulled within 29-26 at the6:45 mark.
The Cardinals would never lead by less than 10 points after thatand held a 46-34 advantage at halftime.
"I thought they played the way we wanted to play," coach TimBuckley said of his team. "When we made mistakes and didn't playthe way we needed to, they always came back to it, and theylistened, and they were very coachable."
Terrance Chapman was a force on the blocks in first half,hitting all six of his shots. He finished with 16 points. In thesecond half, Cameron Echols played the hot hand, making eight ofnine to finish with a game-high 26.
Robert Owens provided 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds offthe bench, leading the Cards to a 47-30 rebounding advantage. MattMcCollom (10) also reached double-digit points.
"It's been drilled into my head, definitely, to defend andrebound," Owens said. "That's what we've been emphasizing since theseason last year. Tonight I had a lot of balls come to me."
While Ball State committed 22 turnovers, ball movement was stillstrong. The Cards recorded assists on 22 buckets. Despite makingjust two of 13 3-pointers, the Cardinals shot more than 50 percent(39 of 76) from the field. Ball State outrebounded Team Nike47-30.
"If we play like we did tonight and play as a team, we could belooking pretty good," McCollom said. "If we can keep moving theball like that, (opposing) teams will have to be scrambling all thetime."
Buckley also applauded his team's passing and unselfish play,even if he wasn't surprised by it.
"It was fun to watch the ball move tonight and get swung andhave a lot of people touch it," he said. "I've seen this everyday.I really enjoy coaching this team; they listen. I think they'remore concerned with what's on the front of their shirt than what'son the back."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
