Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
12-6, 4-2MAC
Akron
13-7, 5-1MAC
Akron Top Men's Hoops In Battle Of Division Leaders
January 24, 2012 | Men's Basketball
                 MUNCIE, Ind. - Despite a game-high 25 points from senior forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City), the Ball State men's basketball team suffered a 70-58 setback to Mid-American Conference East Division rival Akron in a battle of divisional leaders Tuesday evening at Worthen Arena.
                "First off, I have to tip my hat to Akron as their guys stepped up and made some shots tonight," head coach Billy Taylor said. "We had some open looks that we didn't knock down, this coming off a week hit those shots in wins on the road. Defensively, we were strong in the first half but in the second half we became undisciplined and allowed too much dribble penetration."
               Jones came out strong for the Cardinals (12-6, 4-2 MAC), scoring the game's first nine points and going 5-for-5 early on including a pair of three-pointers. Jones' game-high 25 points, marking the ninth time he has scored 20-or-more points in a game this season, came on 9-of-16 shooting with a pair of threes and a 5-for-6 effort at the free throw line. He also paced all players with nine rebounds, including five offensive boards.
               Senior guard Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) also scored in double digits for BSU with 11 points.
               Four Zips (13-7, 5-1 MAC) scored in double figures with 16 each from Brian Walsh and Quincy Diggs. Alex Abreu chipped in 12 points, while Demetrius Treadwell tallied 11.
               Ball State came out of the gate impressively as it scored the game's first nine points to force an early Akron timeout. Jones was the offensive catalyst in the early going as he scored the Cardinals' first 12 points, including a pair of three-pointers.
               Akron responded with a 14-3 run to take a 14-12 lead just seven minutes into the game as they hit three straight from long range, including a pair from Abreu. Treadwell gave the Zips their first lead as he converted an old-fashioned three-point play.
               The teams settled in and traded baskets back-and-forth before Abreu hit his fourth three-pointer of the half to give Akron a 27-24 lead with 4:22 left. The Cardinals answered back as sophomore Tyrae Robinson (Gary, Ind./Bowman Academy) nailed a three-pointer to start a 6-0 closing spurt for the Cardinals as they took a 30-27 lead into the locker room.
               Ball State connected on 42.9 percent (12-of-28) from the field and 33.3 percent (3-of-9) from long range in the first half. Jones was the offensive star in the first half as he scored 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers.
Akron also connected on 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from the field but hit 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from long range to compensate for 12 first half turnovers. Abreu led the Zips with 12 points as he hit 4-of-5 from three-point land while Treadwell added five points off the bench.
               Akron posted a 10-2 run early in the second half to take a 42-36 lead before sophomore forward Tyler Koch (Winchester, Ind./Wright State) scored five points in a 7-2 BSU run to narrow the gap to one at 44-43. The Zips responded with nine straight points to take a 53-43 lead with just over six minutes remaining.
               Ball State was able to pull within six points with 3:21 left as Jesse Berry (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson) hit two free throws. Akron once again had the answer as Brian Walsh nailed a three-pointer as the shot clock was winding down to end any comeback attempt for the Cardinals.
               Akron finished the game shooting 47.9 percent (23-of-48) from the field and hit 50 percent (9-of-18) from three-point land. Ball State ended the night shooting 36.2 percent (21-of-58) from the field and just 23.8 percent (5-of-21) from long range.
               The Cardinals hit the road for two straight MAC crossover games beginning Saturday as they travel to Athens, Ohio to take on the Ohio Bobcats. Game time is set for 11 a.m. at the Convocation Center and is set for an ESPNU national broadcast.
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