Ball State University
15-12, 8-6MAC
Eastern Michigan
15-13, 7-7MAC
Men's Basketball Falls To Eastern Michigan, 72-67
February 25, 2010 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's basketball team saw it three-game winning streak come to an end Wednesday night as the Cardinals dropped a 72-67 contest to Mid-American Conference West Division rival Eastern Michigan at Worthen Arena on senior night. The loss drops the Cardinals to 15-12 overall and 8-6 in MAC play while the Eagles improve to 15-13 overall and 7-7 in league action. Despite the loss, the Cardinals remain in sole possession of first place in the MAC West Division as they hold a one game lead over Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan with two games remaining in the regular season.
"Tonight was obviously disappointing," head coach Billy Taylor said. "We wanted to come out on senior night and play with a lot of energy and focus. Eastern Michigan played hard and had guys step up and make plays tonight."
Sophomore guard Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) continued his strong play as he scored a team-high 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Sophomore forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) added 14 points and six rebounds in the loss for the Cardinals.
Ball State came out of the gate and scored the first four points of the game as sophomore guard Pierre Sneed (Chicago, Ill./Simeon) and Jones scored on back-to-back possessions. Eastern Michigan answered with eight straight points to take an early 8-4 lead.
The Cardinals responded right back with nine straight points on their way to a 13-2 run to take a 17-10 lead. Davis started the run and sophomore forward Mo Hubbard (Chantilly, Va./Westfield) sparked the run as he converted an old-fashioned three-point play. Senior guard Brawley Chisholm (Bronx, N.Y./Western Texas College) capped the run as he scored in transition.
Once again Eastern Michigan had a response as it scored eight straight to take the lead back at 18-17 and force a BSU timeout. The two teams traded baskets back-and-forth with the Eagles heading into the locker room with a slim 36-33 lead.
Ball State connected on 50 percent (13-of-26) from the field and 75 percent (6-of-8) from the charity stripe. Jones led the Cardinals in the first half with nine points and four rebounds while Hubbard chipped in five points off the bench. Eastern Michigan connected on just 32.3 percent (10-of-31) from the field, but hit six three-pointers in the first half (6-of-18). The Eagles were led by Antonio Green's 10 points as he hit two three-pointers and Carlos Medlock added eight points.
Eastern Michigan opened the second half on a 7-2 run to take a 43-35 lead and force the Cardinals into a timeout. Ball State answered back with seven straight points on its way to a 10-2 run as Davis and freshman guard Jauwan Scaife (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) hit back-to-back three-pointers. Senior forward Terrence Watson (Detroit, Mich./Univ. of Mississippi) converted an old-fashioned three-point play on an offensive rebound to tie the game at 45-45.
The teams traded baskets back-and-forth with the scored tied at 53-53 with 6:53 left. The Eagles posted a 7-2 run to take a 60-55 lead with 3:35 left in the contest as Jay Higgins hit a three-pointer in the corner.
Ball State kept battling and made it a one possession game at 64-62 with 1:49 left in the game as Davis nailed a three-pointer. Justin Dobbins stepped up and connected on two straight free throws to extend the lead to four points. After a Davis free throw, Bowdry hit two more to take the lead back to five at 68-63. The Cardinals once again made it a one possession game as Watson scored in the paint with 15 seconds left to narrow the gap to 69-67.
Carlos Medlock was able to hit just one of two free throws to keep it a one possession game with 11.9 seconds left. The Cardinals though were unable to convert on their ensuing possession as they turned the ball over with 5.8 seconds left in the game and EMU hit two more free throws to seal the victory.
Ball State finished the game shooting 48.0 percent (24-of-50) from the field and 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from three-point land. The Cardinals were also strong at the free throw line as they hit 78.9 percent (15-of-19). Scaife ended the night with nine points off of the bench in his first career game as a reserve, while Sneed chipped in eight points.
Eastern Michigan ended the night hitting 37.3 percent (22-of-59) from the field and attempted 32 three-pointers while making nine (28.1%). The Eagles were also strong at the charity stripe as they connected on 76.0 percent (19-of-25). EMU won the battle on the glass as it held a 35-33 advantage, including 15 offensive rebounds.
Bowdry led four Eagles in double figures as he posted a double-double of 16 points and 13 rebounds in just 21 minutes of action. Medlock and Green each added 15 points in the victory while Dobbins chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds.
Prior to the game, the Cardinals honored their two-member senior class in guard Brawley Chisholm (Bronx, N.Y./Western Texas College) and forward Terrence Watson (Detroit, Mich./Univ. of Mississippi).
The Cardinals hit the road Saturday evening as they travel to Toledo for a 7 p.m. meeting with the Rockets at Savage Hall.
####
