MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State men's basketball team saw its two-game home winning streak snapped Wednesday night with a 71-45 setback to Western Michigan at Worthen Arena, with over 1,100 students packing "The Nest".
For the fourth consecutive game, Peyton Stovall and Anthony Newell both reached double figures with 18 and 13 points, respectively.
"The thing I was most disappointed in was our effort," said first-year Ball State head coach Billy Taylor. "Even though we did not play well, the one thing we've had all year was the effort. For whatever reason, it wasn't there tonight and we learned a tough lesson from a very good Western Michigan team."
Three other players scored for Ball State, but the Cardinals never led in the contest and trailed by as much as 28 points in the second half.
“I guess the ball wasn't bouncing the right way,” Newell said. “We played scrappy, but it felt like we were just going through the motions. I was happier with our demeanor in the second half, but then they just came back and started scoring on us.”
After Ball State closed to within three points at 21-18 when Stovall connected on a lay up, the Broncos used a 32-7 run over the course of the first half and into the second half to tighten their grip.
“Western was putting pressure on the basketball,” Taylor said. “We weren't looking to make plays for others, we were only trying to make them ourselves. When that happens, you get stagnant."
Indiana native and preseason All-MAC pick Joe Reitz scored 15 points to lead four Broncos in double figures. David Kool added 13 points and five assists.
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they play host to Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. The Eagles posted a 65-61 win Wednesday at Northern Illinois.
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