Ball State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Falls In Double OT At Miami
February 12, 2006 | Men's Basketball
A thrilling three-point field goal from Skip Mills with :56 to play in double overtime gave Ball State a 63-62 lead, but Miami's William Hatcher answered with a jumper of his own seconds later that proved to be the game winner as the host RedHawks handed the Cardinals a 67-63 setback.
The loss drops Ball State to 8-13 overall and 4-9 in the MAC, while Miami improves to 13-8 and 10-3 in the league.
"There were no losers today," said BSU head coach Tim Buckley. "The clock might have run out, but there were no losers. Our kids couldn't have given us anymore."
The double overtime game was just the ninth in school history for the Cardinals, but the second overtime game in recent years against the RedHawks.
The last time the two teams played at Millet Hall, the game was decided in overtime with Miami winning, 83-75. The last time the two teams met in double overtime – Jan. 12, 2000 – the game went into a third overtime before Miami edged the Cardinals 86-84.
After a scoreless first half, Mills had 14 points for Ball State, including eight in the two overtime periods. D'Andre Peyton added a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds as the only other BSU player in double figures. Seven of Peyton's 10 rebounds were on the offensive end.
The Cardinals shot 34 percent for the game, while Miami managed just 40 percent. Both teams own the league's top two defenses.
The RedHawks had three players in double figures with 12 points each from Nathan Peavy, Josh Hausfeld and Monty St. Clair.
"Miami has a way of taking you out of your game," Buckley said. "There's no question defense is the key for both teams. We needed to hit our free throws at the end. The thing I like though, even in a tough, physical game, we still defended."
Ball State returns to the road with a 7 p.m. contest Wednesday at Central Michigan.
