Ball State University
6-8 (0-2MAC)
Central Michigan
7-7 (2-0MAC)
Slow Start Dooms Men's Basketball At Central Michigan
January 14, 2010 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's basketball team suffered its second straight Mid-American Conference loss Wednesday night as the Cardinals dropped a 53-38 contest to Central Michigan at Rose Arena. The loss drops the Cardinals to 6-8 overall on the year and 0-2 in MAC play while the Chippewas improve to 7-7 overall and 2-0 in league action.
"Right now, our defense has been good but we have not been able to generate much offense," head coach Billy Taylor said. "We got a lot of good looks at the basket tonight, we just have to step up and knock them down. We had a pretty good offense going there before break, but things have hit a snag. We have to get things straightened out and continue to compete and get easy opportunities on offense."
Central Michigan came out of the gate quickly as it scored the first seven points of the game on its way to a 21-3 start through the first 12 minutes of the game. The Chippewas took advantage of strong shooting from three-point land in the opening stretch as they connected on their first five three-pointers in the run, while the Cardinals connected on just one of their first 13 shots from the field.
Ball State regrouped and answered the early run as the Cardinals posted an 11-3 spurt to narrow the gap to 24-14 with 1:51 left in the half. Freshman guard Jauwan Scaife (Muncie, Ind./Central) highlighted the early going as he scored eight first half points, including the Cardinals' first five points of the game. Central Michigan was able to grab the final basket of the half to take a 26-14 lead into the locker room.
The Cardinals finished the first half shooting 13.6 percent (3-of-22) from the field and just 12.5 percent (1-of-8) from three-point land. Ball State was strong from the free throw line in the opening half as it connected on 70 percent (7-of-10). Central Michigan conversely connected on 34.8 percent (8-of-23) from the field and 50 percent (5-of-10) from three-point land. Robbie Harman and Chris Kellerman paced the Chippewas with six points each as they both connected on two three-pointers.
Ball State came out of the halftime break and scored first as Scaife converted off of a drive. Central Michigan responded thought with another strong start to the half as the Chippewas scored nine straight points to take a 35-16 lead and force the Cardinals into a timeout. Ball State continued to battle but could not narrow the gap down the stretch.
The Cardinals finished the game shooting 24.4 percent (11-of-45) from the field and only 13.3 percent (2-of-15) from long range. Ball State was strong from the free throw line in the loss as it hit 77.8 percent (14-of-18) from the charity stripe, including a 6-of-6 performance from freshman guard Myron Green Jr. (Long Beach, Calif./Dominguez).
Scaife finished the game as the Cardinals' leading scorer as he tallied 12 points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Sophomore guard Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) added nine points as he was 3-of-5 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Sophomore forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds in the loss.
Central Michigan finished the night shooting 39.0 percent (16-of-41) from the field and 40 percent (8-of-20) from long range. Kellerman led three Chippewas in double figures with 14 points while Harman and Jordan Bitzer each scored 12 points.
The Cardinals return home to Worthen Arena Sunday afternoon as they host MAC West foe Toledo. Game time is set for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast by FSN Indiana and will be carried online at ESPN360.com.
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