Ball State won its second consecutive overtime game of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, this time beating the University of Tennessee-Martin 83-80.
The Cardinals trailed by as many as 16 in the second half, but staged a comeback to tie the game at the end of regulation 71-71.
Head coach James Whitford said it was a thriller.
“That was an unbelievable win and a great college basketball game,” he said. “We have a knack of playing for 40 minutes and that is why you do. It was a great ending for us.”
Junior guard Ryan Weber hit a three-pointer with 1:28 left in the second half to start the comeback for Ball State, cutting UT Martin's lead to 71-63. Weber's shot started an 11-0 run, capped by a game-tying layup by junior forward Franko House with eight seconds on the clock.
In overtime, Ball State and UT Martin traded buckets. Sophomore guard Sean Sellers was fouled with 53 seconds remaining in the period and made both his free throws to give the Cardinals an 81-80 lead.
UT Martin’s Twymond Howard missed a jumper, which was rebounded by senior guard Bo Calhoun. In transition, Calhoun missed a three-point attempt, but House hauled in the rebound and drew a foul in the process.
House made both free throws to give the Cardinals an 83-80 lead. UT Martin had one last shot but missed, securing a victory for Ball State. House said the Cardinals were ecstatic.
“The feeling right now is just crazy,” House said. “After the game we were all sitting there wondering how did we win.”
Calhoun and House both posted double-doubles in in the game. Calhoun finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, and House pitched in 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Ball State will head to New York City on March 23 to take on Columbia University at 7 p.m. in the CIT quarterfinals.
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