Dec. 8, 2000

Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Ball State forward Theron Smith scored 40 points to lead the Cardinals to a 91-71 win Friday against Texas Tech in the first round of the Indiana Classic.

With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Smith was fouled by Texas Tech's center Andy Ellis.

He made both free throws and the second shot gave him 37 points - a new Indiana Classic record for individual points in a single game. The previous record was 36 points by Brian Rowson of UNC-Wilmington in 1986.

Smith broke another Indiana Classic record for field goals, finishing 16-of-26 from the field. Rowson also held the previous record of 15.

Smith sparked the Cardinals' offense in the first half with 22 points, six rebounds and three steals, making 9-of-14 from the field. He scored 16 of his points in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Ball State (3-3) entered the half with a 56-40 lead and held Texas Tech to 17-of-34 from the field.

The Red Raiders (3-3) closed the gap to 10 with about 13:30 remaining in the game, but Ball State went on a 6-0 run to extend its lead to 66-50.

With about 2:30 to go, forward Jayson Mitchell made a layup to bring Texas Tech within nine, but that was as close as they would get. Ball State was 4-of-4 from the free throw line and Smith hit a three point shot, putting the Cardinals ahead 85-71.

Andre Emmett led Texas Tech with 14 points.

The Cardinals play Indiana on Saturday night after the consolation game between Western Michigan and Texas Tech.