Freshman Anthony Newell had been playing only 10 minutes a game prior to Saturday's contest against Bowling Green, and very few of those minutes came during the final stretches of close games.
Yet after a scorching first half when he scored eight straight points for the Cardinals, Newell received the chance to play late in the game, something he rarely gets to do.
And in the final seconds he left his mark.
With Ball State up only three points and Bowling Green poised to tie the game, Newell contributed what coach Tim Buckley called the "defining moment of the game."
He stole the ball while his legs slid in different directions, causing him to fall backward on the court. He was able to push the ball to teammate Maurice Acker, and the play broke the back of the Falcons by turning the final seconds into a two-possession game.
"I went over the top and zoned up on defense and the ball was right there in front of me," said Newell, who finished with 10 points in 20 minutes. "I didn't know where it came from and it surprised me. I was off balance too so I ended up doing the splits which really hurt, but I saw Maurice and just tried to get the ball to him anyway I could."
Saturday's game was Newell's first big game since he played 13 minutes and scored five points at IUPUI on Dec. 7. Since then, Newell has played sporadic minutes. He hadn't played in five of the previous six games before Saturday.
In order for any player to break into Buckley's rotation, he needs to be defensive-minded the minute he steps on the court. Newell said his approach to Saturday's game was the key to his success.
"I came out with a defensive-mindset and looking to get rebounds," Newell said. "I came out focused to stop my man and I think that helped me out offensively. Hitting those early shots really boosted my confidence on both ends of the court, too."
Before Saturday's game, the Cardinals were suffering a 7-game losing streak, and Buckley expressed throughout that time that he wanted more consistency from his bench.
Buckley said Newell will keep earning minutes if he lets the game come to him.
"When Anthony has gotten himself into difficulty it's been when he's trying to force the action," Buckley said. "He's got to channel that the right way. I think he's got to the point where he wants to buy into that role and that is the role we need him to buy into."
BREAKING THE STREAKS
Tonight's home matchup against Central Michigan puts two teams together who have just broken long losing streaks.
Both teams are riding high after breaking their 7-game losing streaks this weekend.
Central Michigan traveled to Buffalo and upset the Bulls, ending Buffalo's 13-game home winning streak. It was Central Michigan's first road win of the season and only its third win after defeating Wisconsin-Green Bay and Rochester College earlier this year.
Buckley said both teams have been through similar experiences this season.
"[Central Michigan] is a very explosive team and we show that at times," Buckley said. "I just think we are two young teams that are trying to find our way."
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