Ball State University
7-18, 2-12MAC
Central Michigan
20-5,10-4MAC
Chippewas Shoot Past Cardinals in Men's Hoops
February 21, 2015 | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Central Michigan's offense was in high gear Saturday afternoon as the Chippewas avenged an earlier loss this season with an 83-60 win over Ball State in men's basketball action at McGuirk Arena.
One of the most potent 3-point shooting teams in the country, the Chippewas knocked down 12 of them Saturday. Ball State kept pace in the first half but couldn't in the second as Central Michigan (20-5, 10-4 MAC) extended its winning streak to five games and remained tied atop the Mid-American Conference standings.
It was a major turnaround from last month's meeting between the teams when the Cardinals (7-18, 2-12 MAC) won by 18 points in Muncie.
"They are so explosive on offense and they can put points up so fast," Ball State coach James Whitford said. "I thought we really got rattled in the second half. They came out and banged a couple 3's to get started. All of a sudden the lead jumped to double digits, and at that point we lost our composure."
Sean Sellers poured in a career-high five 3-pointers (on six attempts) and led the Cardinals with 19 points. Franko House scored 12 and Bo Calhoun added 11.
It was a back-and-forth game until the final play of the first half. Ball State had the ball trailing by two but turned it over in the closing seconds. Chris Fowler drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send Central Michigan to the locker room with a 41-36 lead.
A Francis Kiapway 3 on Ball State's first possession of the second half cut the lead to two, but then Central Michigan outscored the Cardinals 28-9 over the next nine minutes. All of a sudden the Chippewas' lead swelled to 69-48.
After shooting 50 percent in the first half, Ball State made only 8 of 23 attempts from the floor and 2 of 12 from the 3-point line in the second half. For the game, the Cardinals had 13 turnovers that led directly to 23 Central Michigan points.
"Our offense was great to start," Whitford said. "Honestly, it was even fine for the first four minutes of the second half, but we had a stretch where their lead got to 11 and we started forcing things and trying to get it all back in one play."
John Simons led the Chippewas with 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc, while Fowler ran the offense with 18 points and eight assists. Braylon Rayson had 13 points, and Rayshawn Simmons finished with 10 points and six assists.
Central Michigan recorded 18 assists to only four turnovers as a team and finished the game shooting 58 percent from the floor and 50 percent from long range. Ball State held a 31-21 advantage on the glass, including a 13-3 lead in offensive rebounding, but the Chippewas just made too many shots.
Ball State will return to Muncie to host Western Michigan for a 7 p.m. tipoff Tuesday. The Cardinals will close the regular season with three of their final four games at home.
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