For the Hawks' basketball team, plucky Ball State was as problematic as that sound system.

Still, St. Joe's fared much better than its dance team, overcoming the resilient Cardinals, 74-63, in its first home game of the season at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.

Playing for the first time in 10 days, the Hawks showed signs of rust, but they were workmanlike in upping their record to 3-1. An early exit from the NIT Tip-Off tournament in a 72-69 loss to Syracuse two weeks ago gave St. Joe's a week off. But coach Phil Martelli made sure practices were as intense as any game.

"I expected to be very good because practices were just absolutely terrific," Martelli said. "Sunday's practice was really well done. Friday's practice was really well done. Yesterday, I could feel a little bit of edge trying to play that first home game."

St. Joe's plays its next three at home, including tomorrow in a test against No. 19 Gonzaga.

The Hawks would be wise to repeat last night's balanced effort. They placed four players in double figures, and senior forward Pat Calathes led the way with 19 points. Ahmad Nivins and Darrin Govens added 15 apiece and Tasheed Carr finished with 13.

Ball State, meanwhile, fell to 0-6. The Cardinals, who do not have a player taller than 6-foot-5, traveled with only 10 players, seven of whom were on scholarship.

"I know everybody thought they were undersized," Martelli said.

Even though they had a distinct size advantage, the Hawks launched it from outside, attempting 26 three-pointers. But they made 12 and were a judicious 5 of 8 from beyond the arc in the second half.

Govens typified the Hawks' effort, draining 4 of 5 from long distance in the second half after a cold 1-of-5 first half.

"My confidence was still there," Govens said. "And the coaches and my teammates still had confidence in my shot."

Displaying the accurate stroke he showed against Syracuse, the guard connected on four treys over a five-minute stretch, giving the Hawks a 69-57 lead with 4 minutes, 3 seconds remaining.

Six minutes earlier, however, the resourceful Cardinals had whittled the Hawks' advantage down to 48-45 when guard Brandon Lampley hit a three-pointer from the top of the key.

But Govens got on a roll, Carr (five assists) did the little things again, and the team as a whole took care of its free throws (16 of 20), unlike earlier this season. Nivins made 7 of 9 at the stripe and 4 of 5 from the field.

Nivins, a 6-9 junior forward who struggled against Syracuse, played significantly better against Boston University on Nov. 17 (18 points and 13 rebounds) and appeared to be working his way back to the high level he competed at last season.

Ball State's various zones, though, effectively neutralized Nivins in the post.

"It can be a killer," Nivins said. "But it's up to me to find other ways to be productive without the ball."

Govens, though, had the hot trigger in the second half, and there was no need to go into the paint. The Chester High product had been hobbled by a groin injury and had not practiced. He started nevertheless, and showed no signs of fatigue, playing 30 minutes.

He was recruited primarily as a point guard, but Govens' dead aim has given Martelli no other choice but to let him roam the wing.

"I think he truly is a very, very, very high-level shooter," Martelli said. "But ball skills will have to come with strength."