Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
7-4
Chicago State
0-14
Men's Basketball Cruises Past Chicago State, 86-58
December 31, 2011 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State men's basketball team scored a season-high 86 points Saturday as the Cardinals posted a convincing 86-58 victory over Chicago State on New Year's Eve at Worthen Arena. The Cardinals connected on 51.9 percent (27-of-52) from the field and scored 19 fast break points in the victory to improve to 7-4 on the season.
"First off, it is nice to be back at home," head coach Billy Taylor said. "We spent a lot of time in practice focusing on taking care of the basketball and doing a better job on the glass and I think that showed in our effort today. Our guys got the message in practice as we were plus 11 on the glass and handed out 18 assists today."
Senior forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) led five Cardinals in double figures with a team-high 17 points in just 25 minutes of action. Jones connected on 6-of-7 from the field and 5-of-8 from the free throw line. Sophomore guard Tyrae Robinson (Gary, Ind./Bowman Academy) started for the first time this season and scored 13 points while dishing out five assists in the victory.
Ball State broke the game open early as the Cardinals posted a 20-4 run to take a 26-10 lead just over 11 minutes into the game. The Cardinals scored 16 straight points during one stretch as they got out on the break scoring 13 points on the fast break in the opening frame. Robinson scored eight points during the run, including back-to-back baskets forcing a CSU timeout.
Sophomore forward Matt Kamieniecki (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) added five straight in the run, including converting an old-fashioned three-point play. Ball State continued to stretch its lead throughout the half as it closed on an 11-2 run to take a 46-23 lead into the locker room. Jones scored five in the run while junior Jauwan Scaife (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) nailed a three-pointer in transition.
Ball State connected on 58.3 percent (14-of-24) from the field and hit 15-of-22 (68.2%) from the charity stripe in the first half. The Cardinals were led by Jones' nine first half points while Kamieniecki and redshirt sophomore Tyler Koch (Winchester, Ind./Wright State) each chipped in seven points. Kamieniecki paced the Cardinals with eight rebounds as Ball State held a 21-14 edge on the glass in the opening frame.
Chicago State ended the first half shooting 32.3 percent (10-of-31) from the field and just 11.1 percent (1-of-9) from long range. The Cougars were forced into nine first half turnovers that the Cardinals converted into 14 points. Matt Samuels led Chicago State with nine points while Jeremy Robinson chipped in six points.
Ball State pushed its lead to 56-30 with 16:16 left in the second half as it posted a 9-1 run. Jones scored the first four points before Kamieniecki and sophomore Chris Bond (Gary, Ind./Bowman Academy) posted consecutive baskets in transition.
Chicago State (0-14) slowed the Cardinals momentarily as it hit four straight three-pointers in a 12-1 run to trim the BSU lead to 61-47. Ball State responded as Robinson nailed a three-pointer before igniting the Cardinals in 14-2 run to raise the lead to 79-52 with five minutes left.
Robinson scored five straight to start the run while sophomore guard Jesse Berry (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson) scored six points as he converted two old-fashioned three-point plays. The Cardinals closed out the 28-point balanced scoring victory as 11 different Cardinals scored and BSU out-scored the Chicago State bench 32-5.
Ball State connected on 27-of-52 (51.9%) from the field and hit 26-of-38 (68.4%) from the charity stripe. Koch and Kamieniecki each added 11 points in the victory while Berry chipped in 10 points off the bench. The Cardinals owned a 37-26 edge on the glass and out-scored the Cougars 40-16 in the paint. Kamieniecki paced the rebounding effort with eight boards while Jones added six rebounds.
Chicago State finished the game shooting 37.7 percent (20-of-53) from the field but hit 45 percent (9-of-20) from long range, including eight three-pointers in the second half. Samuels led all scorers with 18 points while Lee Fisher chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds.
Ball State closes out the pre-conference portion of the schedule Wednesday night as it hosts Florida A&M. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Worthen Arena.
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