Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
9-4, 1-0MAC
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Western Michigan
6-9, 0-1MAC
Men's Hoops Opens MAC Play With 78-69 Win Over WMU
January 07, 2012 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Four Cardinals scored in double figures to lead the Ball State men's basketball team to a 78-69 victory over Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference opener for both squads Saturday afternoon at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals never trailed in the contest, which saw BSU lead by as many at 16 points mid-way through the second half. The victory improves the Cardinals to 9-4 on the season and runs their home winning streak to 11 straight games, dating back to last season.
"Today was what we expected from MAC play -- a gritty, tough contest," head coach Billy Taylor said. "I was proud of our guys for getting a lead early on and maintaining it throughout the game. We were able to withstand the Western Michigan run and showed a lot of poise down the stretch."
Senior forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) led all players with 20 points for his seventh game with 20-or-more points this season. Classmate Randy Davis (Plymouth, Ind./Plymouth) followed Jones in scoring with 16 points to help BSU improve open league play with a win for the second straight season.
"I was most proud of the play of our seniors, Jarrod and Randy," Taylor said. "They have led us all year in practice and on the floor during games. They did a terrific job today playing like seniors and helping us secure a great home victory."
Also scoring in double-figures for the Cardinals were sophomore forward Chris Bond (Gary, Ind./Bowman Academy) and sophomore guard Jesse Berry (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson) with 11 points each. Bond led the Cardinals in rebounding with a game-high nine boards.
Western Michigan, which fell to 6-9 (0-1 MAC), was led in scoring by Demetrius Ward's 16 points, while Matt Stainbrook added 14.
Ball State and Western Michigan battled back-and-forth from the tip-off in the hotly contested affair. The Cardinals threw the first blow of the game with an 8-0 run to take a 17-8 lead and for WMU into an early timeout. Berry and Davis gave the Cardinals the early spark with an early three-pointer each during the spurt.
Western Michigan slowed the Cardinals' momentum with an 8-2 run to narrow the gap to 23-22 and force Ball State into a timeout with 5:55 left in the half. Shayne Whittington and Austin Richie scored on back-to-back fast break baskets as the Cardinals committed consecutive turnovers.
Ball State slowed the run as Bond converted an old-fashioned three-point play. The Cardinals followed that up with an 8-2 run to take a 34-25 lead as sophomore Tyrae Robinson (Gary, Ind./Bowman) hit five free throws and Berry nailed another three-pointer. The teams traded points in the rough-and-tumbling final minute of play that saw three technical fouls called before Ball State took a 36-29 lead into the locker room.
The Cardinals connected on 42.9 percent (12-of-28) from the field and 40 percent (4-of-10) from three-point land. Jones and Berry led the team with eight points each in the first half while Bond chipped in seven points. Ball State also out-rebounded the Broncos by a 19-18 margin with Jones leading the way with six boards.
Western Michigan connected on 39.3 percent (11-of-28) from the field and just 12.5 percent (1-of-8) from long range. The Broncos were led by Demetrius Ward who scored seven points while Flenard Whitfield added four points in his return to action after missing the past six games. WMU leading scorer Matt Stainbrook was held scoreless as he posted two fouls in just five minutes of action in the first half.
The teams battled back-and-forth for most of the second half with the Cardinals maintaining a double-digit lead. Freshman forward Aaron Adeoye (Marion, Ill./Marion) converted two different three-point plays in the second half to keep the Cardinals' momentum going.
After a basket by Jones put the Cardinals in front by 16 points at 65-49 with just over eight minutes remaining in the game, Western Michigan responded with seven straight points and posted a 14-4 run to narrow the gap to 69-63 with 3:47 left. Mike Douglas started the run with an old-fashioned three-point play while Hayden Hoerdemann brought the Broncos within six points as he nailed a deep three-pointer off of a scramble.
Ball State needed a crucial basket down the stretch and it went inside to Jones who was double-teamed. He was able to find Bond alone underneath for a big bucket to put the Cardinals in front 71-63 and thwart the WMU run. The Cardinals closed out the victory from the free throw line as they hit seven of their last eight from the line, including four from Davis.
Ball State finished the game shooting 45.5 percent (25-of-55) from the field and 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from long range. The Cardinals also hit 79.3 percent (23-of-29) from the charity stripe, including 15-of-17 (88.2%) in the second half. Jones connected on 7-of-15 from the field and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line while Davis was 4-of-7 from the field and also hit all six of his free throws.
Ball State forced Western Michigan into 14 turnovers in the victory and out-scored the Broncos 15-4 on the fast break. Western Michigan ended the afternoon shooting 40.3 percent (25-of-62) from the field and just 25 percent (5-of-20) from long range. Ward led the Broncos with 16 points and seven assists while Stainbrook added 14 points, all in the second half.
Ball State returns to action Tuesday night as it hits the road for the first time in MAC play as the Cardinals travel to Toledo. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Savage Hall.
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