MUNCIE, Ind. ? Peyton Stovall (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson H.S.) has left the building, at least for his final home game that is. The fifth-year face of the Cardinals went out in commanding fashion Tuesday night with his third career double-double; 13 points, 10 rebounds to help Ball State defeat visiting Northern Illinois, 69-63.
“It was a very emotional night,” first-year coach Billy Taylor said. “I think Peyton really set the tone because of his unselfish play.”
After a brief moment of silence for the tragic events that occurred at Northern Illinois on February 14, the Cardinal fans and players alike honored Stovall as he was escorted onto the court by his sister, parents and Ball State University President Dr. Jo Ann Gora.
“I was fine all day,” Stovall said. “I was excited and I knew this was going to be great, I didn't have butterflies or anything. Then when I did my pre-game routine with Chris Taylor [former men's basketball sports information director], I looked at him once then I had to look away. Then I saw my mom crying and it really hit me.”
Stovall was presented a framed jersey which he held high and eventually kissed amidst a long standing ovation before the Cardinals took the court.
“It was just awesome when they came out and gave me that ovation,” Stovall said.
Ball State 6-22 (5-10 MAC) and Northern Illinois 6-20 (3-11 MAC) played evenly in the first half trading baskets and the lead until the Cardinals took a 32-30 advantage into the locker-room at half time.
During the first half there were six ties and nine lead changes. Ball State shot 11-for-31 from the field, while Northern Illinois went 14-for-28. Anthony Newell (Chicago, Ill./Simeon H.S.) and NIU's Darion Anderson shared the half-time lead with 11 points respectively.
While Ball State was out-rebounded in the first half 20-16, the Cardinals committed only one turnover, compared to Northern Illinois' seven.
Stovall and Newell got the second half off to a good offensive start for Ball State with seven straight points which included a field goal and a three-point bucket by Newell and two free throws by Stovall. The Cardinals as a team shot better in the second half connecting on 14 of 31 shots for 45%
Ball State never trailed in the second half and led by as many as nine points. Leading the game in scoring was Anderson for Northern Illinois, with 24 points. Ball State's leading scorer was Newell with 23 points along with six rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block.
“Everyday we just focus on taking care of the ball,” Stovall said. “Taking care of the ball is a key part of practice. We had great focus and the guys came to play.”
Also putting up numbers for Ball State were freshman Laron Frazier (Waukegan, Ill./Waukegon H.S.) with 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting including two three-pointers.
Freshman Melvin Goins (Dallas, Texas/Christian Life H.S.) added eight points, while freshman center Malik Perry (Philadelphia, Pa./Lutheran H.S.) dropped in six points and six rebounds.
Rounding out BSU's scorers were Rashaun McLemore (Richmond, Va./Mt. Zion Academy) with four points, plus Brandon Lampley (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton H.S.) and Rob Giles (Detroit, Mich./Crockett H.S.) with three and two points, respectively.
Stovall's final home game included his third career double-double; 13 points, 10 rebounds and one steal. Stovall grabbed his final offensive board, which gave him the double-double, with under a minute to go and essentially sealed the win for Ball State.
“We've asked [Peyton] to do a lot more than what he was used to,” Taylor said. “He's done everything we've asked out of him.”
Freshman Othello Banaci (Silver Spring, Md./Springbrook H.S.) came off the bench for Stovall with three seconds remaining. Stovall hugged Banaci and the rest of the bench while ?The Nest' and the rest of the crowd gave him another standing ovation.
“I have tremendous respect for Peyton,” Taylor said. “He's made a tremendous impact on this program, and even though the wins are not very high, he's helped lead this program in the right direction for the future.”
The Ball State men's basketball team closes out the regular season Sunday with a 2 p.m. showdown at Mid-American Conference West Division Champion Western Michigan. The game will be televised live by the Ball State Sports Network.
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