Monday, December 19
Muncie, Ind.
7:00 PM ET
Ball State University
7-4
61
vs
45
Longwood
3-7
1
2
F
Longwood
19
26
45
Ball State
23
38
61
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Men’s Hoops Locks down Longwood, 61-45
December 19, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Cardinals use balanced attack to win third straight game
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The offensive numbers through 10 games for the Ball State men's basketball team were among the best in the Mid-American Conference.
It was the Cardinals' work on the defensive end that was a concern for head coach James Whitford.
That's why he was pleased after his team's 61-45 victory Monday night over Longwood. It wasn't the prettiest offensive performance, although BSU scored the ball much better in the second half. But the Cardinals' defense was a constant throughout.
"That's been the part of our identity we've really struggled with," Whitford said. "It's such a fundamental part of the game that we have been lacking, and I thought we got a lot better there tonight."
The Cardinals held Longwood to 36.5 percent shooting and a 2-of-17 performance from 3-point range en route to their third straight win. They forced 23 turnovers, seven more than their previous season high. Darrion Allen, the Lancers' leading scorer for the season, finished with 10 points on 10 shots.
Ball State (7-4) led 61-33 with 4:16 to play before Longwood (3-7) went on a late spurt to close the gap in the closing minutes.
It was a balanced attack offensively for Ball State with six players scoring at least eight points but nobody with more than 10 (Francis Kiapway).
The Cardinals managed to hold a 23-19 lead at halftime despite a tough opening half offensively. The MAC's top shooting percentage and assist team connected on just 28.6 percent from the floor (0 for 10 from 3-point range) and had only four assists to seven turnovers.
"I thought we looked out of sync on offense for a lot of the game, but I was really pleased with the game because I thought we really defended the right way," Whitford said.
The shots started to fall after halftime. After going without a 3-pointer in the first half, the Cardinals made four (three from Sean Sellers and one from Ryan Weber) in the opening four minutes of the second half to open up a double-digit lead.
Three minutes later it was a 43-23 advantage after a Franko House steal led to a pair of Jeremie Tyler free throws. Tyler made his return to the lineup and scored eight points despite a tough shooting night. He also drew the defensive assignment on Allen when he was in the game.
Ball State was in complete control throughout the second half. Sellers finished with nine points, while House, Tyler, Tayler Persons and Tahjai Teague had eight each.
"That's who we are when we're playing well," Whitford said of his team's balance.
Eleven players saw action for Ball State, including Josh Thompson. The redshirt freshman played his first collegiate minutes late in the game.
The Cardinals will return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. against Alabama State. It's another "Take a Kid to a Game" day at Worthen Arena. With one paid adult general admission ticket purchased, two kids eighth grade and under will receive a complimentary general admission ticket.
It was the Cardinals' work on the defensive end that was a concern for head coach James Whitford.
That's why he was pleased after his team's 61-45 victory Monday night over Longwood. It wasn't the prettiest offensive performance, although BSU scored the ball much better in the second half. But the Cardinals' defense was a constant throughout.
"That's been the part of our identity we've really struggled with," Whitford said. "It's such a fundamental part of the game that we have been lacking, and I thought we got a lot better there tonight."
The Cardinals held Longwood to 36.5 percent shooting and a 2-of-17 performance from 3-point range en route to their third straight win. They forced 23 turnovers, seven more than their previous season high. Darrion Allen, the Lancers' leading scorer for the season, finished with 10 points on 10 shots.
Ball State (7-4) led 61-33 with 4:16 to play before Longwood (3-7) went on a late spurt to close the gap in the closing minutes.
It was a balanced attack offensively for Ball State with six players scoring at least eight points but nobody with more than 10 (Francis Kiapway).
The Cardinals managed to hold a 23-19 lead at halftime despite a tough opening half offensively. The MAC's top shooting percentage and assist team connected on just 28.6 percent from the floor (0 for 10 from 3-point range) and had only four assists to seven turnovers.
"I thought we looked out of sync on offense for a lot of the game, but I was really pleased with the game because I thought we really defended the right way," Whitford said.
The shots started to fall after halftime. After going without a 3-pointer in the first half, the Cardinals made four (three from Sean Sellers and one from Ryan Weber) in the opening four minutes of the second half to open up a double-digit lead.
Three minutes later it was a 43-23 advantage after a Franko House steal led to a pair of Jeremie Tyler free throws. Tyler made his return to the lineup and scored eight points despite a tough shooting night. He also drew the defensive assignment on Allen when he was in the game.
Ball State was in complete control throughout the second half. Sellers finished with nine points, while House, Tyler, Tayler Persons and Tahjai Teague had eight each.
"That's who we are when we're playing well," Whitford said of his team's balance.
Eleven players saw action for Ball State, including Josh Thompson. The redshirt freshman played his first collegiate minutes late in the game.
The Cardinals will return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. against Alabama State. It's another "Take a Kid to a Game" day at Worthen Arena. With one paid adult general admission ticket purchased, two kids eighth grade and under will receive a complimentary general admission ticket.
Team Stats
LWU
BSU
FG%
.365
.375
3FG%
.118
.292
FT%
.625
.750
RB
39
39
TO
23
13
STL
7
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG/F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
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