Skip Mills stood face-to-chest with Micah Rollin before Ball State University's starting center took one of the most important foul shots of his career.
The Cardinals trailed Eastern Michigan University 49-47 with 51 seconds remaining in regulation, and Ball State's biggest player had the spotlight shining directly on his back. With all the pressure placed squarely on Rollin's shoulders, Mills exemplified his leadership by letting the junior know he wasn't alone.
"I just told him that he needed to step up and hit the [foul] shot," Mills said. "I said, 'I'm not going to say nothing else to you because I believe you've got it.' That's a tough situation to be in, especially for a [post player]. I just wanted to help build confidence for him."
Rollin hit the front end of the one-and-one, but the second foul shot hit off the back of the rim. Ball State's season and Skip Mills' career ended 51 seconds later with a 51-48 loss.
Though it was a frustrating outcome for the Cardinals' only senior starter, Mills had reason to keep his head held high.
With 8:44 remaining in the game, Ball State trailed the Eagles 45-33. Mills jump-started a 14-4 Cardinal run, scoring the first four points of that stretch with two quick layups. Five minutes later, Ball State's senior leader pulled his team within four points - at 49-45 with 3:54 remaining - with a jump shot. It was the first time Ball State had been within four points since the Cardinals trailed 14-10 with 14:04 remaining in the first half.
As bad as it looked for Ball State before the team made its run, Mills said he never gave up.
"Every year that I've been here playing in the [Mid-American Conference] Tournament we've always gotten down big in the first half," Mills said. "So I wasn't really worried. I knew we were going to come back. We just had to get over that hump."
The final minutes of the senior's career reinforced the importance Mills has had on the Ball State basketball program throughout his last season.
Though the Cardinals have struggled through one of the worst years in program history, Ball State coach Ronny Thompson said Mills has been one of the few consistencies throughout the year.
"[Mills] was tremendously consistent the entire year," Thompson said. "As a coach, it's very comforting going into games and knowing what you're going to get from him."
Mills said he wasn't satisfied merely with bringing his team back into contention. Instead of focusing on his play and leadership during the final few minutes, the senior stood up and held himself responsible for the loss.
"The frustration is high for me right now because my team put me in position to win the game," Mills said. "I just didn't come through. [My teammates] were telling me, 'Come on Skip. This is you, this is you.' I wanted to come through and it just didn't work out."
Thompson said he respected what Mills has done for both himself and his teammates this season. Ball State's first-year coach also said his program will deeply miss the effect Mills has made on his team in his first year.
"Skip Mills is the consummate professional when it comes to basketball," Thompson said. "He spends so much time on his game prior to game day and leading up to game day. He spends the extra hours in the gym.
"[Mills] is going to be sorely missed."
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
