Campbell defeats Ball State 69-64

Campbell Crusades Past Ball State in Thrilling 69-64 Victory

In a back-and-forth battle, the Campbell Fighting Camels outlasted the visiting Ball State Cardinals, 69-64, on Monday night at John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center. The win marked a significant road test for the unranked Camels, who proved they can hang with the nation's best.

The game was a true thriller, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a comfortable lead. At halftime, the score was tied at 30-30, setting the stage for an intense second half. The largest leads of the game were Campbell's five-point advantage and Ball State's seven-point margin, but it was the Camels who emerged victorious in the end.

Dovydas Butka led the charge for Campbell, scoring 22 points on 50% shooting from the field, including two makes from beyond the arc. The forward also grabbed 14 rebounds, solidifying his presence in the paint.

Chris Fields Jr., meanwhile, contributed a double-double with 14 rebounds and 14 points, while Cam Gregory added four assists to round out the top performers for Campbell.

For Ball State, Joey Hart led the way with 15 points on 50% shooting from the field. Armoni Zeigler also had a strong night, contributing seven points and 10 rebounds, as well as two assists.

The advanced statistics paint an interesting picture of the game. Campbell's true shooting percentage was just shy of 46%, while Ball State's eFG% was slightly higher at 42.4%. However, it was the Camels' ability to limit turnovers that ultimately proved decisive, as they committed just 12 giveaways compared to Ball State's 14.

The win marked a significant road test for Campbell, who improved their record to [insert record]. The loss dropped Ball State's record to [insert record], but the Cardinals will look to bounce back in their next outing.