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(Wednesday, November 19th)

Final Score: (14) Ball State 31, Central Michigan 24

Mount Pleasant, MI - Nate Davis threw four touchdown passes and MiQuale Lewis rushed for 177 yards as the 14th-ranked Ball State Cardinals stayed perfect on the season with a 31-24 decision over Central Michigan in an exciting Mid-American Conference bout.

Davis notched just 175 passing yards on 12-of-22 efficiency in cold, windy conditions that saw the occasional snowfall, but it was enough for Ball State (11-0, 7-0 MAC) to improve the best start in program history while clinching a share of the MAC West Division title and recording a school record for wins in a season.

Both of Louis Johnson’s catches went for touchdowns, while Briggs Orsbon and Daniel Ifft brought down the other scores for the Cardinals, who play Western Michigan in their regular-season finale next Tuesday to try and lock up a spot in the conference title game.

“We haven’t proven anything yet,” said Ball State coach Brady Hoke. “We still have to play a good Western Michigan team next week to win the division. Central is a good football team, they won the possession battle against us and did a lot of good things tonight. Ultimately, our defense made some key stops at the end of the game.”

Dan LeFevour did all he could in an effort to clinch the Chippewas’ (8-3, 6-1) third straight MAC West Division title, passing for 345 yards and two touchdowns on 30-of-44 attempts while rushing for a team-high 75 yards on 24 carries. But his interception in the closing seconds proved costly in snapping CMU’s six-game winning streak.

“Ball State is obviously a very good football team and I thought our kids played hard but we made too many mistakes to beat a football team of that caliber,” said Central Michigan coach Butch Jones. “They made fewer mistakes than us and that was the difference in the game.”

Kito Poblah caught five balls for 110 yards and a touchdown, while kicker Andrew Aguila missed 2-of-3 field goal attempts in the loss.

Central Michigan bounced back from Aguila’s second missed kick as Poblah made a nice adjustment on an under-thrown LeFevour toss for a 38-yard score and a 24-17 lead 39 seconds in the final stanza.

Ball State had an answer on the fourth play of the next possession when Johnson caught a pass down the right sideline, broke a tackle and raced into the end zone for a 45-yard TD.

CMU was forced to punt on the next drive and Lewis went to work with six rushes for 63 yards on the ensuing possession. Facing 3rd-and-8 at the Chippewas 11-yard line, Davis fired a perfect pass to a covered Orsbon, who caught the out route in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 7:29 remaining.

The Chippewas moved into Ball State territory on the next drive, but two incompletions and a sack on third down left the ball at the Cardinals 40 with just over four minutes to play. A fake punt on 4th-and-18 stood no chance, but CMU managed to get the ball back with just under a minute remaining.

After instant replay nullified an interception, three completions put the ball on the Ball State 36. Attempting a pass into the red zone, LeFevour was picked off by Sean Baker and the Cardinals’ hope for an appearance in a BCS game stayed afloat.

The offensive explosion expected from both clubs didn’t come to fruition in the first half. After Aguila’s missed 40-yard field goal attempt, Ball State marched to paydirt, culminating in Johnson’s 20-yard grab with less than two minutes to play in the opening quarter.

CMU answered with a touchdown drive of its own. Two plays after LeFevour rushed for a first down on 4th-and-1 at the Ball State 25, he found Joe Bockheim down the middle, as the receiver took a big hit at the two, stayed on his feet and reached the ball into the end zone early in the second quarter.

Aguila’s 31-yard kick gave CMU a brief 10-7 lead, and Ian McGarvey’s 21-yarder knotted it just before intermission.

The programs came out of the break and exchanged blows. The Chippewas went first and scored on a six-play, 63-yard drive when Ontario Sneed penetrated the goal line on an eight-yard scamper.

The Cardinals curiously went for it on 4th-and-1 on their own 37 on the next drive and Lewis rushed for the first by the nose of the ball. Davis’ 18-yard hookup with Ifft at the midway point of the third tied the game, 17-17.

Game Notes

Central Michigan finishes its regular season against Eastern Michigan next Friday…CMU still owns a narrow 21-20-1 advantage in the all-time series with Ball State…Sneed had 40 yards rushing on 10 carries, but the team as a whole was out-rushed, 232-121.

(Wednesday, November 19th)

Final Score: Atlanta 91, Washington 87

Atlanta, GA - Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams drained three- pointers in the final minute, carrying the shorthanded Atlanta Hawks to a 91-87 win over the Washington Wizards. Williams, who hit the go-ahead shot with 26.5 seconds left, scored 21 points and pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds. Mike Bibby had 25 points to pace the Hawks, who snapped a four- game skid. Johnson scored 19 to go with eight rebounds and eight assists for Atlanta, which played without center Al Horford (sprained right ankle) and forward Josh Smith (sprained left ankle). Zaza Pachulia pulled down 18 rebounds for Atlanta, which scored the final eight points of the game. Caron Butler posted a season-best 32 points for the Wizards, who fell to 1-8 on the season. Antawn Jamison ended with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while DeShawn Stevenson scored 12 in defeat.

Final Score: Detroit 96, Cleveland 89

Auburn Hills, MI - Allen Iverson scored 23 points, had four steals and doled out four assists to lead the Detroit Pistons in a 96-89 comeback win over the Cavaliers, snapping Cleveland’s eight-game winning streak. Rasheed Wallace added 21 points and hauled in 15 rebounds for the Pistons, who have won four of five overall. Richard Hamilton chipped in 15 points and five helpers in the win. LeBron James had 25 points, six assists, six boards and four steals for the Cavaliers. Mo Williams also had 25 points, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 13. Anderson Varejao ended with 11 boards.

Final Score: Toronto 101, Miami 95

Miami, FL - Andrea Bargnani scored a season-high 25 points, leading the Toronto Raptors over the Miami Heat, 101-95, in a tough road test at American Airlines Arena. Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal both posted double- doubles, with Bosh recording 15 points and 11 rebounds while O’Neal had 16 points and 17 rebounds. Anthony Parker was a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc for 19 points for the Raptors, who have won two of three. The Raptors shot 9-of-13 from three-point range in the game, including an 8-for-8 mark to finish the game. Dwyane Wade had a game-high 40 points, 11 assists and a career-high five blocks for the Heat, who have lost three of five. Wade became just the second player since blocks became an official stat to post 40 points, 10 assists and five blocks in the same game. Alvan Adams of the Phoenix Suns was the other to do it, putting together 47 points, 12 assists and five blocks in a game against Buffalo on February 22, 1977. Shawn Marion added a season-high 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Daequan Cook had 10 points in the loss.

Final Score: Dallas 96, Houston 86

Houston, TX - Jason Terry scored 31 points, and Dirk Nowitzki added 24 points and 12 rebounds to pace Dallas to a 96-86 victory over the injury-riddled Houston Rockets. Jason Kidd contributed eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Mavericks, who won their third in a row following a five-game skid. The Mavs, who played without second-leading scorer Josh Howard (left ankle), also beat Houston for the 11th time in the last 14 meetings. Rafer Alston and Tracy McGrady each scored 16 points, but the Rockets were without center Yao Ming (sore left foot). Forward Shane Battier practiced on Tuesday for the first time this season, but was in street clothes again as he continues be sidelined due to offseason foot surgery. McGrady played despite leaving Monday’s game against Oklahoma City with a knee injury, and Ron Artest put together a solid performance with 14 points and 13 rebounds despite playing on a gimpy ankle. But Houston shot just 37.2 percent from the field.

Final Score: Minnesota 102, Philadelphia 96

Minneapolis, MN - Al Jefferson led all scorers with 25 points, as the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 102-96 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Craig Smith added 21 points off the bench for Minnesota, which picked up just its second win of the season — the Timberwolves won their opener against Sacramento. Mike Miller finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and made a three-pointer with 30.4 seconds left that helped Minnesota to the win. Andre Miller had 20 points and six assists to lead the Sixers, who had won three in a row. Elton Brand finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Andre Iguodala added 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the loss.

Final Score: Sacramento 105, New Orleans 96

New Orleans, LA - John Salmons led five Kings in double figures with 29 points and six assists in Sacramento’s 105-96 victory over the New Orleans Hornets. Salmons hit a solid 13-of-18 from the floor for the Kings, who snapped a three-game skid. Donte Greene, in his first career start, notched 15 points, and Beno Udrih chipped in 14 points and seven assists in the impressive victory. Brad Miller added 14 points and eight boards for Sacramento, while Bobby Jackson came off the bench scored all eight of his points in the critical fourth quarter. Chris Paul, nursing a balky ankle, logged 20 points and 15 assists, while David West scored 22 points for New Orleans, which has lost three of four. Tyson Chandler posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.

Final Score: LA Clippers 108, Oklahoma City 88

Oklahoma City, OK - Chris Kaman led a balanced attack with 25 points and 14 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-88, in a battle of the league’s two worst teams. With a combined record of 2-19 coming into the contest, the Clippers and Thunder had the two worst winning percentages in the NBA. Cuttino Mobley added 23 points and seven steals for Los Angeles, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Al Thornton added 20 points and seven rebounds in the win. Marcus Camby and Baron Davis each had 14 points for the Clippers. Kevin Durant had a team-high 18 points for the Thunder, who have now dropped nine straight games since a win over Minnesota. Damien Wilkins scored 17 points, while Russell Westbrook came off the bench to score 10 points and dish out four assists.

Final Score: Denver 91, San Antonio 81

San Antonio, TX - Chauncey Billups scored 22 points, doled out six assists and hauled in five rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets in a 91-81 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Carmelo Anthony poured in 21 points, grabbed nine boards and dished out seven helpers for the Nuggets, who have won four straight and seven of eight overall. Kenyon Martin had 18 points and Nene 16 in the win. George Hill scored 20 points for the Spurs, who saw their season-high three-game win streak come to an end. Michael Finley gave 13 points, while Tim Duncan had 12 points and 11 boards.

Final Score: Utah 105, Milwaukee 94

Salt Lake City, UT - C.J. Miles scored 25 points to lead Utah to a 105-94 comeback win over the Milwaukee Bucks, as the Jazz won their 14th straight home game going back to last season. Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 11 rebounds, but left the game in the fourth quarter with a strained left quad tendon. Ronnie Price and Andrei Kirilenko each had 16 points for the Jazz, who beat Milwaukee for the eighth straight time. Kirilenko also had seven rebounds, five steals and four blocks. Ronnie Brewer ended with 12 points for the Jazz, winners of back-to-back games overall since a three-game skid. Richard Jefferson scored 25 points, and Andrew Bogut contributed 16 points and a season-high 20 rebounds for the Bucks, who lost their third straight contest.

Final Score: Portland 116, Chicago 74

Portland, OR - Brandon Roy scored 20 points and Greg Oden had a successful regular season home debut, as the Portland Trail Blazers dominated the Chicago Bulls to the tune of 116-74 at the Rose Garden. The game marked the first meeting between the top pick in the 2008 and 2007 drafts. Oden, who was playing his first regular season home game one year and 144 days after he was picked in 2007, scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 17 1/2 minutes of action. Chicago’s Derrick Rose was picked first in the most recent draft and shot just 1-of-8 for six points on the night. Oden, who sat out his first season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee, received a standing ovation as he entered the game off the bench in the first quarter. He came into the game averaging 15.3 points in his last three games after totaling three points in his first two contests. The seven-footer poured in a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds in Tuesday night’s win over Golden State. Joel Przybilla added 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots for the Blazers, who have won six of eight. LaMarcus Aldridge posted 11 points in the victory. Andres Nocioni came off the bench to score 13 for the Bulls, who have lost four of six. Drew Gooden and Ben Gordon each scored 11 points, while Larry Hughes posted eight points for Chicago.

(Wednesday, November 19th)

Final Score: (5) Michigan State 70, IPFW 59

Fort Wayne, IN - Raymar Morgan scored 22 points and hauled in seven rebounds to lead fifth-ranked Michigan State past IPFW, 70-59. Kalin Lucas added 17 points and doled out three assists for the Spartans (2-0), who began their season on Sunday with a 100-62 romp over Idaho. Chris Allen chipped in seven points and three boards in the win. Ben Botts poured in 22 points for the Mastodons (0-2), who were handled easily, 71-43, by Xavier in last Friday’s season opener. David Carson gave 17 points in defeat.

Final Score: (20) Wake Forest 120, UNC-Wilmington 88

Winston-Salem, NC - The triumvirate of Jeff Teague, James Johnson and Chas McFarland combined for 75 points in No. 20 Wake Forest’s 120-88 victory over UNC-Wilmington in an in-state mismatch. Teague posted a career-high 31 points, Johnson netted 25, and McFarland contributed 19 for the Demon Deacons (2-0), who opened their season with a blowout win over NC Central and finish off a three-game homestand against Winston-Salem State on Monday. Johnson and McFarland also grabbed nine and eight rebounds, respectively, in the win. Al-Farouq Aminu posted a solid all- around effort with 11 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the victors. Johnny Wolf paced the Seahawks (2-1) with 24 points, and Dominique Lacy recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. UNCW shot a respectable 47.6 percent from the field but committed 24 turnovers and were outrebounded by a 52-30 margin.

Final Score: (23) Villanova 77, Niagara 62

Villanova, PA - Scottie Reynolds scored 19 points, including a 9-of-10 foul shooting performance, as 23rd-ranked Villanova held off Niagara, 77-62, in a Philly Hoop Group Classic matchup. Corey Fisher added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Wildcats (3-0), as head coach Jay Wright notched his 150th win at Villanova. Reggie Redding contributed 14 points in the win. Tyrone Lewis led Niagara (1-1) with 16 points, and shot 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Rob Garrison added 15 points for the Purple Eagles, while Bilal Benn — a transfer from Villanova — finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.

(Wednesday, November 19th)

Final Score: Boston 7, Buffalo 4

Boston, MA - Chuck Kobasew and Zdeno Chara both scored twice, as the red-hot Boston Bruins scored the last five goals and defeated the Buffalo Sabres, 7-4, at TD Banknorth Garden. Marc Savard registered a goal and three assists, while David Krejci had a goal and two helpers for the Bruins, who have won 10 of their last 12 games and lead the Northeast division with 28 points. Phil Kessel scored a goal and assisted on another for Boston, which has won six straight games as the host. Manny Fernandez stopped 25-of-29 shots to pick up the win. Thomas Vanek finished with two goals and an assist for Buffalo, which was handed its third consecutive lopsided loss. The Sabres have been outscored 18-7 during their skid. Jason Pominville recorded a goal and two assists in defeat. Ryan Miller allowed seven goals on 20 shots and was lifted in the third period in favor of Patrick Lalime, who made three saves the rest of the way.

Final Score: Vancouver 6, NY Rangers 3

New York, NY - Hanson Burrows had two goals and Vancouver doubled up the New York Rangers, 6-3, at Madison Square Garden. Kyle Wellwood, Ryan Johnson, Pavol Demitra and Daniel Sedin also scored for the Canucks, who are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. Mattias Ohlund collected three assists, while Taylor Pyatt and Jannik Hansen both recorded two helpers. Roberto Luongo made 39 saves to notch his 11th win of the season. Chris Drury registered a goal and an assist for the Rangers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Henrik Lundqvist allowed five goals on 17 shots before he was yanked in the second period. The Swedish netminder had been nearly unbeatable recently, yielding two goals or less in his last 12 appearances entering Wednesday. Stephen Valiquette stopped all 15 shots he faced. Forward Markus Naslund, who joined New York in the offseason, picked up an assist in his first game against his former team. Naslund spent 12 years in Vancouver and was the team’s captain from the start of the 2000-01 campaign until his departure over the summer.

Final Score: Washington 6, Anaheim 4

Anaheim, CA - Alex Ovechkin registered a goal and three assists, as the Washington Capitals defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 6-4, at Honda Center. David Steckel had a goal and an assist, while Michael Nylander collected two helpers for the Capitals, who had a five-game winning streak snapped by the Devils on Saturday. Mike Green scored a goal and assisted on another before leaving in the first period with an undisclosed injury. Jose Theodore stopped 28-of-32 shots to get the win. Bobby Ryan contributed two goals and an assist for Anaheim, which posted a 2-3-1 record during its season-high six-game homestand. Ryan Getzlaf added a goal and an assist. Jonas Hiller got the start for the Ducks and was pulled after he allowed three goals on six shots. Jean-Sebastien Giguere finished with 24 saves.