Ball State overtakes hot-starting Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Southeast Missouri State opened Monday night's matchup against Ball State well. Senior Tyler Stone scored nine consecutive points as the Redhawks jumped out to an 11-2 lead.

That intensity quickly shifted to Ball State, particularly after Stone checked out of the game, and the Cardinals handed the Redhawks their second loss of the season 87-83.

Stone left the court with 13 minutes, 40 seconds left in the first half for a rest and the Redhawks leading by seven points, but Southeast coach Dickey Nutt was forced to call a timeout when Ball State stormed back to tie the game 11-11 with 12:09 remaining.

Stone checked back into the game, but the Cardinals 12-0 run ultimately gave them a 14-11 lead. Southeast missed five consecutive shots from the field during that span.

"We have to learn stay more consistent," Stone said. "We played a good team, and we know we let one slip. We have to get more stops."

With the off-court distractions of Stone and forward Nino Johnson's suspension behind Southeast and the Redhawks coming off a win at IUPUI on Saturday, their bid to avenge a heartbreaking 85-82 loss to Ball State last season in the ESPN Ramada BracketBuster fell short despite holding a two-point lead with 4 minutes, 10 seconds left in the game.

Ball State later led 21-20 with eight minutes remianing in the first half when it went on an 11-3 run, fueled by a Zavier Turner 3-pointer and 6-of-6 shooting from the free-throw line.

"Turner makes them go," Dickey Nutt said. "The way he shoots the ball with accuracy and range, it opens up the inside game."

Turner, a freshman, paced the Cardinals for most of the contest, finishing with 19 points. His ability to hit 3-pointers was a difference maker.

"We did not get a hand up on him at times, we lost him at times, he hit tough shots," Lucas Nutt said.

Chris Bond paced the Cardinals with 20 points.

Lucas Nutt suffered an ankle injury during the first half that hampered him the rest of the way.

"It got stiff on me, and I could not go like I wanted to," he said.

The senior came into the contest averaging 8.7 points per game and was held scoreless, only attempting two shots. He distributed eight assists -- two above his season average.

Picking up the scoring for the Redhawks was Stone and Jarekious Bradley, who both finished with season-high totals. Stone scored 24 points, while Bradley netted a game-high 26.

Stone scored his 1,00th career point in the first half when he hit a jumper with 6:04 to go to pull the Redhawks within 26-22.

"It is part of the game," Stone said with a smile. "I love Southeast, it has been my home for a while now. It is an honor to play here, and I appreciate the fans, the coaches and everybody."

The Redhawks, who trailed 40-35 at intermission, held the lead on four occasions in the second half.

Southeast led 71-69 after a Nino Johnson free throw with 4:10 remaining, but Ball State answered with a 6-0 spurt to take a 75-71 lead.

Southeast stayed close down the stretch but never could overtake the Cardinals.

"I was proud of our team. I thought we had a chance at the end," Dickey Nutt said. "It just didn't fall our way. We learned something. This was a good road game for us. We felt like we had our chances, but we just could not sustain it."

Ball State held a 46-35 advantage in rebounding, which included 15 offensive rebounds to just nine for Southeast.

One topic that will be a learning experience for Southeast and every other college basketball team is the new rule implemented this season to crack down on hand-checking on the defender.

"It is hard, but we have no choice," Stone said. "You have to play, you have to adjust. They called a lot of them, but that is just part of the game."

In all, there were 47 fouls called -- 24 on Southeast and 23 on Ball State.

"It is playing a role with us," Dickey Nutt said of the new rule. "It is different. We are trying to adjust. I think we did a nicer job tonight adjusting to the hand-touching fouls."

Southeast dropped to 2-2 on the season and will host Mid-Continent on Friday.

"I am proud of this team," Dickey Nutt said. "To come on this long road trip and split, to go back and play at home -- we are going to be OK."