Ball State University
5-20, 4-9MAC
Central Michigan
11-14, 6-7MAC
Stovall Scores 19-Points In 63-58 Loss At Central Michigan
February 21, 2008 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. ? Three players scored in double figures for Ball State (5-20, 4-9 MAC) but it wasn't enough as the Central Michigan Chippewas (11-14, 6-7 MAC) defeated the Cardinals 63-58 at Rose Arena, Wednesday night.
The Cardinals fell behind early 14-4, but went on to cut CMU's lead to three (23-20) with just over five minutes left in the first half after a lay-up by Rashaun McLemore. CMU would then go on a 6-0 run to make it 29-20 at the 2:14 mark.
McLemore would hit a free throw while teammate Anthony Newell hit a jumper cutting CMU's lead to six (29-23) with just over a minute left in the half. Back-to-back free throws from Peyton Stovall sent Ball State to the locker-room trailing Central Michigan by five (31-26),
In the second half, the Chippewas continued its 52.4 shooting percentage building a 13-point lead over the Cardinals with 8:25 left in regulation. Ball State started to turn up the defense by holding CMU to 56 points allowing BSU to rally off eight straight points to come within two (56-54) with 1:28 left in the game.
A made CMU free throw and a missed one sent the Cardinals down the court only trailing by three with seconds left but the Chippewas managed to rebound and make their free throws to seal the victory.
Stovall had a game-high 19 points for the Cardinals. Teammates Newell and McLemore each had 13 a-piece. Newell also led BSU in rebounds with a team-high of nine.
For the Chippewas, Marcus Van scored 18 and brought down nine boards. Jordan Bitzer of CMU had 12 points and Chris Kellermann tallied 11.
Ball State men's basketball will compete in the BracketBuster on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Eastern Kentucky. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
