Ball State University
15-10, 7-5MAC
Toledo
4-22, 1-11MAC
Men's Basketball Runs Past Toledo, 83-62
February 15, 2011 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Freshman forward Chris Bond (Gary, Ind./Bowman Academy) posted his first career double-double, with a career-high 18 points and 10 rebounds, to help the Ball State men's basketball team post an 83-62 victory over Mid-American Conference West Division rival Toledo Tuesday evening at Worthen Arena.
In addition to Bond, three other Cardinals scored in double figures to improve the Cardinals to 15-10 (7-5 MAC) on the year. The 15 wins matches last season's total (15-15) while the seven MAC victories also ties the Cardinals' mark from last year (7-9). Toledo suffered their eighth straight setback, falling to 4-22 (1-11 MAC).
"Obviously we needed one and our guys responded extremely well tonight," head coach Billy Taylor said. "I thought we came out and played with a lot of heart, energy and passion tonight. We forced 24 turnovers, got 15 steals and then got 23 offensive rebounds. Those are all effort plays that we made up and down our lineup. I am just proud of our guys for responded in a positive manner."
Joining Bond in double-figures for Ball State were sophomore guard Jauwan Scaife (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) with 17 points, junior forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) with 14 points and junior guard Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) with 10 points.
The Cardinals connected on 45.6 percent (26-of-57) from the field and 75 percent (24-of-32) from the free throw line in the victory as it posted a conference season-high 83 points. Ball State dominated play on the glass as it held a 38-24 edge, including a season-high 23 offensive rebounds.
The Cardinals also forced Toledo into 24 turnovers with their pressure as they tallied a season-high 15 steals, five of which came from Bond. Ball State's 15 steals are the most since posting 15 thefts March 4, 2006 against Eastern Michigan.
The contest started slowly with Toledo opening up to a 15-10 lead just under nine minutes into the contest. The Cardinals regrouped and posted an 8-2 run to take an 18-17 lead as Davis hit back-to-back three-pointers to spark the offense.
Ball State kept its momentum going as it posted a 10-2 run to take a 28-22 lead and force Toledo into its second timeout of the half. Junior guard Pierre Sneed (Chicago, Ill./Simeon) capped the run as he converted an old-fashioned three-point play as the Cardinals got out in transition. The Rockets slowed the run as it got a three-pointer from Justin Anyijong.
The Cardinals closed the half on a modest 6-1 spurt over the final 1:19 of the half to enter the locker room with a 40-32 lead. Bond scored on an offensive rebound at the buzzer to close the half and almost turned in a first half double-double scoring a team-high 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds to help the Cardinals to a 24-11 rebounding edge.
Ball State connected on 40.6 percent (13-of-32) from the field and hit 80 percent (12-of-15) from the free throw line. Davis finished the half with 10 points Jones added six points.
Toledo connected on 50 percent (11-of-22) from the field but just 28.6 percent (2-of-6) from long range. The Rockets committed 11 first half turnovers and were called for 14 first half fouls. Toledo was led by Jay Shunnar's eight points while Malcolm Griffin added seven points despite picking up three first half fouls.
The Rockets came out of the halftime break and pulled within four points at 41-37 as Anthony Wright hit a three-pointer. The Cardinals regrouped and put the game out of reach as they posted a 13-2 run to take a 54-39 lead. Jones highlighted the run with seven points and Scaife nailed a three-pointer in the corner to force the Rockets into a timeout.
Ball State ended any doubt in the game shortly after as it posted a 10-2 run. Freshman guard Jesse Berry (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson) provided the spark as he hit a pair of three-pointers to finish the night with seven points.
Toledo finished the evening shooting 52.4 percent (22-of-42) from the field and 35.7 percent (5-of-14) from three-point land. The Rockets were hampered by their 24 turnovers in which the Cardinals turned into 26 points. Reese Holliday posted a double-double in the loss with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Griffin added 13 points and eight turnovers before fouling out.
Ball State steps out of MAC play Saturday afternoon as it takes part in the 2011 Sears BracketBusters event. The Cardinals will travel to Spartanburg, S.C., to face Southern Conference foe Wofford at 7 p.m.
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