In Ball State University's conference-opening loss to the University of Toledo, captains Anthony Newell and Peyton Stovall were forced to get by without much help from their supporting cast. That was not a problem Sunday afternoon.
The Cardinals got double-figure scoring from five players as they defeated Central Michigan University 82-71 for their first Mid-American Conference victory of the season, their second win overall.
The game marked the first time five Cardinals reached double digits in scoring since the 2006-07 season opener against the University of Northern Colorado.
"It really wasn't part of the game plan," Cardinals' coach Billy Taylor said of the extra support for the captains. "We want to take what the defense gives you to create opportunities. I'm really proud of the guys' effort."
Ball State got 17 points from freshman guard Melvin Goins, tying his career high. Goins was the leader of Ball State's supporting cast, which compiled 46 points, compared to 14 points in the team's first league game at the Toledo.
"Last game, I wasn't fortunate to get points where I needed to," Goins said. "[Sunday], I came out and I was just focused more."
Goins was also charged with guarding Chippewas' leading scorer Giordan Watson for most of the game. Watson was held to two points in the first 35 minutes of the game before netting 10 in the final five minutes as Central Michigan attempted to cut into Ball State's lead.
"Melvin played great," Taylor said. "I thought he did a terrific job guarding Watson."
Goins made a season-high six shots, all from inside the three-point arc.
"Melvin's tough to guard," Stovall said of Goins's performance. "The driving lanes were wide open."
Central Michigan cut the Cardinals' lead to as little as four in the second half, but Ball State staved off the run with plentiful trips to the free-throw line. The Cardinals attempted 32 free throws in the final 10:06 of the contest.
"They went to the line 51 times. I don't know if that's a Ball State record, but it has to be right up in the top five," Central Michigan coach Ernie Ziegler said.
The 51 free-throw attempts was indeed a Worthen Arena record. Also, Ball State's 82 points and 54.5 percent shooting were the highest marks for the team since the 2005-06 season.
Newell led the Cardinals in scoring with 19 and grabbed 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
Ball State's victory was the 11th time in 12 games the home team has won in MAC play thus far. All six West Division teams in the league are now tied with a 1-1 conference record.
"We've got two more home games before we go back out on the road," Taylor said. "It's important to maintain our focus and intensity so we can defend our home court."
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