Perry's 20 Points Lifts Men's Basketball Past EMU

Saturday, January 19

Muncie, Ind.

1:00 P.M.

Ball State University

3-13 (2-2MAC)

Eastern Michigan

6-10 (2-2MAC)

Team	1	2	F
Eastern Michigan	31	29	60
Ball State	30	34	64

January 19, 2008 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Freshman Malik Perry (Philadelphia, Pa./Lutheran Christian H.S.) scored a career-high 20 points to help guide the Ball State men's basketball team to a 64-60 victory over Eastern Michigan Saturday afternoon at Worthen Arena.

With the victory, the Cardinals even their Mid-American Conference record at 2-2, while improving to 3-13 overall. The Eagles fall to 6-10 (2-2 MAC) with the loss.

In addition to Perry's career-high 20 points, senior Peyton Stovall (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson H.S.) and junior Rob Giles (Detroit, Mich./Crockett H.S.) also collected double-figures with 12 and 10 points respectively.

“Coach told me during practice this week that the team needs me to attack the glass and be more assertive,” Giles said.

The Cardinals displayed a growth of character and resiliency throughout the entire game.

The Eagles came out firing, connecting on their first five shots from the field and soaring to an early 14-4 lead. Ball State responded with seven straight points and trailed 31-30 at halftime due largely in part to a more focused defensive approach.

“Ball State did a good job covering our shooters," said third-year EMU head coach Charles Ramsey "When we did have a shot, we didn't take advantage of the opportunity.”

Junior Anthony Newell (Chicago, Ill./Simeon H.S.) scored 47 seconds into the second half to give the Cardinals their first lead at 32-31.

The home team built their lead to six, 51-45, with 6:59 remaining before Newell and Stovall each picked up their fourth fouls less than a minute later, sending both to the bench.

Facing adversity, Perry and the Cardinals answered.

A lay-up by Perry with 5:17 remaining and two technical foul free throws by junior Brandon Lampley (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton H.S.) stretched Ball State's lead to seven, 55-48.

“It was huge for our team to put the game in their hands when Anthony and Peyton were out,” said first-year BSU head coach Billy Taylor. “Anthony and Peyton were the players most excited on the bench, because they got to watch to see their teammates survive and attack without them.”

The Eagles used a three-point play with 1:36 remaining to cut the Cardinals lead to 63-60, but that is as close as they would get. Despite hitting just 18-of-30 free throws as a team, Lampley hit one-of-two for the final score.

Ball State was eager to bounce back from one of its worst performances of the year against Western Michigan and the effort did not go unnoticed.

“I saw a determined Ball State team today that wanted it more,” Ramsey said.

"I know I didn't play as well as I should have Wednesday," Perry said. "I was embarrassed and we were embarrassed. I like the way we responded, but this is just one step. We have to put them together now as we move forward."

The Cardinals' next step begins with a 7 p.m. tip Tuesday at Northern Illinois.