Ball State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Wins Exhibition Game, 82-61
November 04, 2007 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Junior Anthony Newell, who didn't practice the previous two days due to illness, scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Ball State men's basketball team to an 82-61 exhibition win Sunday over Anderson.
Five Cardinals made their BSU collegiate debut Sunday afternoon in the victory.
"We are still working on it," first-year Ball State coach Billy Taylor said. "Anthony was sick and hasn't practiced the last two days, but he really came out and gave us a great effort.
"We are going to go with who is playing well. We are going to go with whoever is doing what we want them to do and who is executing the game plan.
"I thought our defense played well in the beginning," Taylor added. "We really did some nice things. During the lulls in our play, I thought our defense really picked it up. Our guys were really starting to understand what we were trying to do in terms of our game plan."
While Newell turned a double-double, freshman Malik Perry made his debut with 17 points in 19 minutes.
"I really love Malik's effort, his energy in the post and what he brings to the floor," Taylor said. "He brings an energy and toughness to our lineup that we need. He's a guy that can score in and around the basket, and is very physical underneath. He did a great job.”
After a 42-34 BSU lead at halftime, the visiting Ravens closed to within 45-44 following a three-point field goal from Mike Russell.
That's when the Cardinals turned to their defense and forced consecutive Anderson turnovers and stretched its lead back to double figures in a span of two minutes.
Ball State's lead never fell below 10 points in the final 11 minutes, reaching a game-high 23 points at 82-59 following a layup from Perry.
"I want to be that high-energy guy that brings a little something else to the court," Perry said. "I want to be very aggressive in the post and do those little things that make the entire team better. We already have our leaders, Stovall and Newell, now its up to me to be that role player, whatever they need me to do, I'll go and do.”
Freshman Deontay Twyman added 10 points, while Peyton Stovall finished with nine ponts, seven rebounds and five assists.
Junior Brandon Lampley, who started, logged a game-high 30 minutes with just one turnover. He handed out three assists while scoring eight points.
Ball State opens the 2007-08 season with one of Indiana college basketball's most heated rivalries -- Nov. 9 vs. Butler in Worthen Arena. The Cardinals and the Bulldogs will be meeting for the 99th time in the all-time series.
"Opening Night" festivities include free men's basketball schedule posters to the first 1,500 fans courtesy of C.S. Kern, the NBA halftime act The Extreme Team (formerly the Bud Light Daredevils) will entertain fans at halftime, while the Muncie Civic Theater cast of Annie will perform the National Anthem.
Plus, opening night will mark the debut of the brand new look of the No. 1 student section in the Mid-American Conference -- "The Nest". All BSU students in "The Nest" will get a free t-shirt and other gameday items to help create an electric atmosphere.
Ball State Athletics is offering a variety of ways to get fans to the game Nov. 9. The "Opening Night Youth Penny Promotion" offers up to four youth tickets to the game for just a penny each with an adult general admission ticket. That equals one adult and four kids admission to the event for just $8.04! Information is available by calling 1.888.BSU.TICKET or get your tickets online!
Attention schools, youth groups and non-profit organizations! You may be eligible to bring your group or organization to the Nov. 9 game for FREE. For more information, contact Chris Taylor in the BSU Athletics Communications & Marketing Office at 765.285.8242.
