Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
3-6
Oklahoma State
11-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State | 23 | 33 | 56 |
| Oklahoma State | 35 | 40 | 75 |
Cardinals Fall To Nationally Ranked Oklahoma State
December 10, 2006 | Men's Basketball
The game was the first contest in the 2006 San Diego Slam played at Cox Arena in San Diego. The host Aztecs played Arizona in game two.
Ball State appeared poised to upset the Cowboys through the first 15 minutes of Saturday's contest as the two teams traded buckets and the lead.
The Cardinals jumped out to an early 8-7 lead at the 15:59 mark off a layup from Anthony Newell and four points from Micah Rollin.
Newell grabbed a steal and followed with a dunk two minutes later to give BSU a 13-11 edge.
After the Cowboys recovered the lead, BSU's defense forced OSU into a turnover as a Skip Mills steal and dunk gave the Cardinals a 19-18 lead with 7:52 in the first half.
Ball State then suffered a three-minute scoring drought, while OSU connected from long-range to spark a 17-4 run to end the first half. The Cowboys were 11-of-12 from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes.
"The way we ended the first half hurt us," says BSU head coach Ronny Thompson. "We had it close for most of the first half and then I think we became comfortable. We started taking quick shots and didn't finish the half like we needed to."
The second half started with an 8-0 Oklahoma State run, ignited by a three-point field goal from Terrel Harris. Another three from Mario Boggan with 17:34 on the clock pushed the lead to 20.
The Cowboys drilled 10 long-range buckets for the game, compared to just a 1-of-7 effort from long-range by the Cardinals. Boggan scored a game-high 24 points to lead four Cowboys in double figures.
Mills returned to double figures with 15 points for Ball State, while Rollin added 13 points and Newell scored in double figures for the ninth consecutive game with 12.
"Today, we made progress," Thompson says. "I think we made them deal with us and as a coach, I am proud of that. I think our guys saw that when we stay together and execute, good things can happen. When it all comes together, with the effort they are giving, we can be a good team."
After playing five of its last six games on the road, Ball State returns to Worthen Arena and "The Nest" for two straight games.
BSU hosts state foe Valparasio in a 2 p.m tilt Dec. 16. The national champion and NBA favorite frisbee dogs "K9s in Flight" will entertain fans. Tickets are available by calling the BSU Ticket office at 1.888.BSU.Ticket or online at ballstatesports.com.
