With more than six minutes to go in Ball State University's closely matched game with Eastern Michigan University Saturday, Cardinals' senior guard Peyton Stovall picked up his fourth foul and joined fellow captain Anthony Newell, also with four fouls, on the bench.
Without its two captains, Ball State didn't miss a beat, turning to freshman forward Malik Perry to lead them to a 64-60 victory against the Eagles.
Perry poured in a career-high 20 points, including 12 in the final nine minutes of the game.
"That's huge for us," Stovall said. "He stepped up big time."
Ball State improved to 2-2 in the Mid-American Conference and 3-13 overall with the victory. But it didn't come without controversy.
With 5:17 to play, Perry knocked over an Eagles' defender on the way to a layup. When no offensive foul was whistled, Eagles' coach Charles Ramsey exploded on the sideline and was whistled for a technical foul.
"It was horrendous," Ramsey said. "You can quote me. It was horrible."
After Brandon Lampley sank the technical free throws, Ball State led 55-48. Eastern Michigan would get no closer than three points from there.
Perry, who shot 9 of 11 from the field, said he felt he'd gotten away with something on the key play.
"I honestly expected it was going to be a charge," Perry said, grinning. "I did hit him. But it isn't a foul if they don't call it."
Ball State coach Billy Taylor was mum on his opinion of the key play.
"I don't get into the officiating," Taylor said. "There's always a lot of contact in the paint."
Ball State received an unexpected offensive boost in the first half from junior forward Rob Giles, who scored seven points in the half, two on a putback dunk that energized the crowd. He finished with a career-high 10 points.
"[Anthony] Newell stayed on me," Giles said. "They tell me all the time, 'you can shoot, you're a guard.' I've just been getting comfortable so my shots fall."
Giles received his chance partially due to a one-game suspension of walk-on Dexter Hinkley for a violation of team rules.
"The way we matched up with Eastern, I thought Rob could be effective with his athleticism," Taylor said. "Not having Dexter, then increased his opportunities."
Stovall said winning a key close game will help the team's confidence later in the season.
"Knowing we can close a game, that's a confidence booster for the young guys," Stovall said.
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