When Ronny Thompson was hired in April, he stressed the importance of using defense to create offense.
Based on Saturday's performance, the Ball State University men's basketball team has bought into Thompson's defensive strategy. The Cardinals forced the University of Northern Colorado into 26 turnovers as Ball State cruised to an 81-42 victory in its season opener.
The Bears were held to 37 percent shooting by the Cardinals' full-court pressure. Chris Ames, Anthony Newell, Micah Rollin and Steve Horton had two steals each.
"I don't mind guys taking gambles and being risky at times because there's help and there's support [from other players]," Thompson said. "Playing defense is contagious and that's something they bought into. I didn't have to sell them hard on it. I told them early how I wanted them to play."
Ames, who finished with six points and six rebounds, said the team stressed creating defensive pressure during the preseason.
"What we did today is what we do every day in practice," Ames said. "When we get out on the court it's all just together. If we keep doing that we're going to have a great season."
Ball State's full-court defense gave Northern Colorado fits all game. The Bears turned the ball over 14 times in the first half, nearly matching their point total of 18. When the Cardinals weren't forcing turnovers, Ball State used its aggressiveness to keep Northern Colorado out of its game plan. The Cardinals recorded 23 offensive rebounds, more than double what the Bears tallied.
"I don't know what kind of teams they're going to play against, but they didn't play against a team that handled [the press] very well tonight. That was obvious," Northern Colorado coach Tad Boyce said. "We worked on press offense even though it didn't look like it."
The Cardinals employed "small ball" on the offensive end, playing three or four guards most of the game. With Rollin in foul trouble, 6-foot-7 D'Andre Peyton played center for an extended period of time. He was one of five Cardinals to reach double figures in points, leading all scorers with 15 points. The other four were Peyton Stovall [13], Newell [12], Horton [11] and Jalon Perryman [11].
Ball State put away Northern Colorado with a 14-2 run midway through the first half. With Ball State up 13-10, Peyton and Perryman put together back-to-back layups, and Peyton followed up with a three-pointer.
After a layup by Nothern Colorado's Kirk Archibeque, Peyton scored again and then Horton knocked a three-pointer to make the score 25-12. Stovall made two free throws to end the run. During that stretch, the Cardinals forced five turnovers.
Newell, making the second start of his collegiate career, provided a spark for the Cardinals. He finished with nine rebounds to go along with his 12 points. The sophomore used his athleticism to create mismatches on both ends of the floor.
"My role on the team is just to play hard every single time I get out there and bring the energy I know I can bring," Newell said. "I don't really have a position right now. I just go out there, pick my spots and play basketball."
Last year's leading scorer, Skip Mills, did not start due to an injured leg. Thompson said Mills hasn't practiced in a week and a half. In 15 minutes of action, Mills scored four points.
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