Ball State University
1-0
Eastern Illinois
0-2
Men's Hoops Cruises To 77-46 Victory Over EIU In Opener
November 14, 2010 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's basketball team posted a 31-point victory in its 2010-11 season opener Sunday afternoon as the Cardinals downed Eastern Illinois 77-46 at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals had four players in double figures, including a game-high 19 points by sophomore guard Jauwan Scaife (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central).
"Today was a great team effort," fourth-year head coach Billy Taylor said. "We showed lots of intensity on the defensive side of the floor and that set the tone for the entire game. Offensively, we did a good job sharing the ball and had four players in double figures. It is really great to see our offense being this effective this early in the year."
Scaife led all scorers with 19 points in 26 minutes of action as he was 6-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-5 from three-point land, while hitting all five of his free throws. Junior forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) opened his season in strong fashion once again as he posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. In Jones' first three career season openers, he is averaging 18.3 points and 9.7 rebounds a game with two double-doubles.
Freshman guard Jesse Berry (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson) opened his BSU career in strong fashion as he scored 15 points off the bench. Berry hit 6-of-14 from the field and 3-of-9 from long range to go along with six rebounds in 25 minutes of play. His 15 points marks the third straight season that a BSU freshman has opened their career with a double figure output, joining Scaife last season (14 points) and Jones (21 points) in 2008-09.
Ball State (1-0) came out of the gate quickly as the Cardinals scored the first eight points to force an EIU timeout just over three minutes into the game. Jones sparked the early run as he scored the first four points of the game. The Cardinals broke the game open with a 14-2 run to extend their lead to 25-6 just over 12 minutes into the game. Berry was the catalyst in the spurt as he scored all seven of his first half points in a two minute stretch.
The Cardinals controlled play for most of the first half and entered the locker room holding a 34-22 lead. Ball State connected on 42.9 percent (12-of-28) from the field in the first half and 25 percent (2-of-8) from long range. Eastern Illinois was held to just 28.0 percent (7-of-25) shooting from the field and 28.6 percent (2-of-7) from long range in the opening frame.
After trading baskets in the first two minutes to narrow the lead to 36-25, the Cardinals ended all doubt in the game with a 12-3 run on its way to a 19-5 surge to take a 55-30 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game. Berry ignited the push once again as he hit for eight points during the run, while Scaife got the crowd involved with a fast break dunk to start the streak.
The Cardinals continued to pull away down the stretch as Scaife hit a couple of three pointers and Jones battled on the inside. Ball State finished the game shooting 40.3 percent (25-of-62) from the field and 31.6 percent (6-of-19) from long range. The Cardinals handed out 14 assists while only committing seven turnovers.
Junior guard Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) had a strong all-around game at the point as he scored 13 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed six rebounds and notched two steals. Davis hit 3-of-8 from the field and was 6-of-7 from the free throw line. His eight assists are just one shy of his career-high of nine helpers set last season against Miami (1/26/10). Senior forward Malik Perry (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia Lutheran) added nine points, six rebounds and three steals in the victory.
Eastern Illinois (0-2) was held in check offensively as the Panthers hit just 31.4 percent (16-of-51) from the field and 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from three-point land. The Cardinals forced EIU into 21 turnovers in the victory and turned those miscues into 24 points off turnovers. Jeremy Granger led the Panthers with 11 points while leading scorer Tyler Laser was held to 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting by the Cardinals' defense.
The victory marks the Cardinals' third straight season-opening win and improves Ball State to 53-37 all-time in opening games. The Cardinals are also 41-9 all-time when they open the season at home in Muncie.
Ball State returns to action Wednesday evening as it hosts instate rival Indiana State. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Worthen Arena.
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