by MUNCIE, Ind. — Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness and paralysis. Also known as Lou Guerig’s disease, it is deadly, and there is no cure.
It is something Michael Lewis knows all too well.
“ALS is something different,” the Ball State men’s basketball head coach said. “Any disease is terrible. Any fatal disease is, but ALS is undefeated … I don’t even want to imagine [going through it].”
Ahead of Friday evening’s Hoops4ALS Awareness Game against Ohio, the Cardinals’ social media featured Lewis explaining the annual event. His friend — and former Indiana University basketball manager — Andrew Murphy battled ALS and passed away in July 2023.
After Murphy’s passing, the program was created to raise ALS awareness and support the search for a cure.
But Lewis is now watching the disease once again as his mother-in-law is currently in her fight. He was visibly emotional when asked about the situation.
“I saw what it did to Murph,” Lewis said, his voice breaking. “I’m watching what it is doing to my mother-in-law. It’s great to win … but it’s a basketball game.”
But the Cardinals did not see this event as a simple game of hoops.
Coming into the contest, Ball State was 0-5 — and the only winless team — in MAC play. The team was also on a 4-game losing skid. However, seeing the video and wanting to end a run of poor play, the Cardinals were ready for the Bobcats.
According to Zeigler, there was only one mindset as tip-off approached inside Worthen Arena.
“We got to win this for coach,” junior guard Armoni Zeigler said.
From leading by as much as 15 points and as little as one, Ball State delivered. Behind 28 points from Zeigler, the team knocked off the visiting Bobcats 76-71.
The contest started in Ball State’s favor as the Cardinals jumped to an 8-5 lead. Moments later, they were up by as much as 24-10. Zeigler had eight points by this time, and Lewis said he was ‘playing under control.’
“His decision-making has really improved. His ability to get to the free-throw line has really increased,” Lewis said. “I think he’s in a much better rhythm, and I think I got a better feel for who he is as a player.”
Throughout the first 20 minutes, the Cardinals (5-13, 1-4 MAC) played with poise. They finished the half going 16-for-30 (53.3 percent), and with only three turnovers, led 44-31 at halftime.
Though the Bobcats (10-9, 4-3) began the second half with a 7-0 run, the Cardinals held a comfortable lead until their offensive production quieted down. With 6:40 to play, Ball State led Ohio 64-54.
Yet the Bobcats did not go down without a fight.
Clawing its way back into the game, Ohio forced multiple turnovers in the final five minutes. Though the Bobcats never once led, they were threatening as they only trailed 72-71 as the scoreboard indicated 30 seconds to play.
“They weren’t gonna lose that game,” Lewis said. “We were gonna have to go win it and take it from them.”
With eight points at that point, senior guard Devon Barnes took over. He was first fouled with 19 seconds remaining. With Ball State in the bonus, he took two foul shots.
Swish. Swish.
Ball State led 74-71.
But, it would not be the last time he was drafted to the charity stripe. With seven seconds in the game, he was fouled once again.
Up three points, he claimed he had zero nerves walking to the free-throw line. But it was not just him who felt that way. Zeigler had one thing to say when he saw which teammate was taking the game-sealing foul shots.
“Cash money,” he said.
Two more nothing-but-net baskets gave him 12 points on the night, and the Cardinals held on to capture their first conference victory of the 2025-26 season.
Both Zeigler and Barnes were heard screaming as they ran up the stairs to speak with local media. They said that energy was just a small example of what the locker room festivities were like.
“The [feeling in the] locker room after a win is the best ever,” Barnes said. “Ever.”
Lewis said he was happy for his guys. He noted that it was senior guard Juwan Maxey’s birthday and how senior guard Elmore James IV spent the last three seasons at Ohio, making this the first time he played against his former school.
But he answered modestly when he was told that the players said they wanted the victory for him.
“We got good kids. They need to win for themselves. I’ve been doing this a long time, as a player and a coach. They ain’t got to win for me,” he said. “They need to win for themselves. But it just shows the character that we have in that locker room.”
Behind Zeigler was redshirt sophomore guard Davion Hill with 19 points. Senior forward Aidan Hadawy and senior guard Jac Paveletzke led the Bobcats with 22 points apiece.
Ball State will attempt to win back-to-back games when the Cardinals travel to Central Michigan Tuesday, Jan. 20. Their road-matchup with the Chippewas will begin at 7 p.m.
Though Lewis said he can only imagine what the win will do for the team, he guaranteed one thing.
“It’s going to be a lot better on Sunday teaching after a win,” he said.
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
