
Robinson's Late Shot Knocks Off DePaul In Overtime
December 11, 2010 | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO, Ill. - Freshman guard Tyrae Robinson (Gary, Ind./Bowman Academy) scored with 2.7 seconds left in overtime to boost the Ball State men's basketball team to a 79-77 victory at Big East foe DePaul Saturday night at McGrath Arena. The victory marks the first for the Cardinals over a Big East team since March 16, 1989 when Ball State downed Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament (68-64).
"I couldn't be more proud of our team tonight," head coach Billy Taylor said. "We had a lot of guys step up and contribute in so many different ways. Jarrod was amazing in the post tonight and what can you say about Tyrae. He stepped up huge for a freshman and had no bigger play than the final shot."
Ball State (5-3) had seven different players score at least seven points in the overall team victory. Junior forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) recorded his fifth double-double of the season as he scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Jones hit 7-of-15 from the field and helped the Cardinals own a 41-30 rebounding advantage.
"This game was clearly a big win for our team," Taylor said. "DePaul is a good team and they competed very hard tonight. We have won two road games in a row and hopefully we can carry this momentum forward as the season progresses."
The Cardinals' freshman class combined to score 33 points in the victory. Robinson scoring a career-high nine points, dished out five assists and grabbed four rebounds. Forward Chris Bond (Gary, Ind./Bowman Academy) adding a career-high nine points while grabbing four rebounds as he was 4-of-5 from the field. Guard Jesse Berry (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson) chipped in 15 points, three assists and a steal in the team victory.
DePaul (3-6) opened the game up on a quick 9-4 run over the first four minutes of the contest. The Cardinals responded as they narrowed the gap to 14-13 over the ensuing four minutes with Jones pulling BSU within one with an old-fashioned three-point play.
The Blue Demons extended the lead back to six at 23-17 before the Cardinals found a groove and posted a 16-2 run to take a 33-25 lead. The Cardinals were led in the run by Bond who scored four straight points while Berry turned in a three-point play. Ball State had six different players score in the run that lasted just over six minutes. DePaul closed the half on an 8-3 run to narrow the BSU lead to 36-33 at the halftime break.
The Cardinals were strong offensively in the opening frame as they hit 59.1 percent (13-of-22) from the field, including two three-pointers. Ball State also went to the free throw line 14 times, compared to just six times for DePaul. Berry led the Cardinals with nine points in the first half as he was 3-of-3 from the field and Ball State had eight different players score at least two points in the opening frame.
The Blue Demons hit 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from the field in the first half and 33.3 percent (3-of-9) from long range. Brandon Young led DePaul with 13 points as he was 4-of-4 from the field, including two three-pointers.
Ball State came out of the break and scored the first seven points of the half to take its largest lead at 43-33 and force a DePaul timeout. Junior Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) started the run with a three-pointer while Jones capped the spurt with a basket in the paint.
The Blue Demons battled back and tied the game at 50-50 with a 17-7 run as it took advantage of its full court press and scored in transition. Cleveland Melvin scored seven points in the run while Young hit a big three-pointer.
The teams traded baskets down the stretch with the Cardinals taking a 69-68 lead with 1:01 left in the game as sophomore Jauwan Scaife (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) scored on a layup. The Blue Demons retook the lead on the ensuing possession as Krys Faber hit two free throws to take a 70-69 lead.
The Cardinals looked for the game-winning shot in the closing seconds but Berry missed the initial shot. Jones battled for the offensive rebound and was fouled after coming down with the board. He hit the first of two free throws with 3.3 seconds left in the game but missed the second free throw to send the game into overtime.
DePaul scored first to open the overtime period as Faber converted in the paint. The Cardinals came back and scored three straight from the free throw line before Mike Stovall hit a three-pointer to take a 75-73 lead for DePaul.
Ball State came right back down and Scaife tied the game at 75-75. The Cardinals' defense stepped up on the ensuing DePaul possession and forced a turnover that led to a Jones score down low to go ahead 77-75 with 48 seconds left. Once again DePaul got a foul call and Faber hit two free throws to tie the game at 77-77.
Ball State held the ball for the final possession and worked the clock down in Robinson's hands. He drove into the paint in the closing seconds and converted the shot off the glass with 2.7 seconds left to give the Cardinals a 79-77 lead. Young's desperation three-point attempt at the buzzer was well off course sending the Cardinals to victory.
Ball State finished the game shooting 52.7 percent (29-of-55) from the field and 27.3 percent (3-of-11) from three-point land. The Cardinals scored 19 second chance points in the victory and out-scored DePaul 42-32 in the paint.
Scaife finished the night with 11 points in 42 minutes of action while senior Malik Perry (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia Lutheran) added nine points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in the victory. Davis added seven points and six rebounds before fouling out 28 seconds into overtime.
DePaul ended the night shooting 46.8 percent (29-of-62) from the field and 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from three-point land. Young led the Blue Demons with 23 points as he was 8-of-13 from the field, including three three-pointers. Cleveland chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench in the loss.
Ball State will be off this week for final exams and returns to action December 21 as it hosts the College of Mount St. Joseph at 7 p.m.
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