Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Ohio
Men's Basketball Hosts Ohio for Social Media Night
February 08, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Game 24
Ball State (15-8, 6-4 MAC)
vs. Ohio (14-8 (5-5 MAC)
Tuesday, Feb. 9 (7 p.m.)
Muncie, Ind. (Worthen Arena)
Watch (ESPN3) | Listen (WLBC) | Live Stats
Social Media Night: Be sure to follow @BallStateSports throughout the day for numerous giveaways. If you forgot to sign up to get your Social Media Night shirt, here's your second chance! Shirts are still available. Shirts ordered now won't be ready for Tuesday's game, but will be ready for pick-up at an upcoming game. Click here for more information.
A Look at the Cardinals                               Â
• Ball State rides two straight wins into Tuesday's contest with Ohio. It is the second meeting between the teams this season. The Bobcats were 79-73 winners Jan. 9 in Athens, Ohio.
• The Cardinals are tied for first place in the MAC West Division at 6-4, marking the program's best 10-game MAC start since the 2010-11 season (also 6-4). A win Tuesday would give the program its first 7-4 league start since 2004-05. At 15-8 overall, Ball State has posted its best record through 23 games since the 2001-02 team (also 15-8).
• Senior forward Franko House recorded a career-high nine assists in Saturday's overtime win over Western Michigan. It was the most assists by a Ball State player since Randy Davis had 10 at Central Michigan on Jan. 18, 2012.
• The Cardinals hit a season-high 15 3-pointers, one shy of the school record, in Saturday's win. It was the third time the program has recorded at least 15 treys in a game. The 2001-02 team hit 16 against IUPUI (12/15/01) and 15 against Eastern Michigan (2/2/02).
• BSU ranks as the third-most improved team in the country in terms of its record from last year to this year. The Cardinals are 15-8 this year after going 7-23 a year ago. Only Tennessee State (5-26 to 16-7) and UALR (13-18 to 21-2) have made bigger turnarounds this year (source: NCAA).
• Ball State sits at No. 155 out of 351 Division I teams in the Ken Pomeroy rankings. The Cardinals have been as high as No. 144 this season, marking their highest rating since January 2012. BSU has not finished a season better than its current ranking since 2005 (No. 105).
Last Month vs. Ohio     Â
• Ball State has already played Ohio once this season, falling 79-73 on the road Jan. 9.
• Francis Kiapway hit 6 of 8 from 3-point range in the game and led Ball State with 21 points, including 18 in the second half.
• The Cardinals led by six points at the half, but the Bobcats outscored them 46-34 after the break.
• Ohio's Antonio Campbell (27 points, 13 rebounds) and Jaaron Simmons (21 points, 11 assists) both finished with double-doubles.
Comeback Cards            Â
• Ball State has come back from second-half deficits in four of its six MAC wins, including double-figure deficits twice.
• The Cardinals have come back from double digits twice (16 points against Miami and 14 points at Bowling Green).
• In Saturday's win over Western Michigan, Ball State came back from nine down with 13:23 to play to win in overtime.
Home Court Advantage              Â
• Ball State won its 10th home game of the season Saturday versus Western Michigan, improving to 10-3 at Worthen Arena this season.
• It is the 16th time in 24 seasons at Worthen Arena the Cardinals have won at least 10 home games, but it's the first time since the 2011-12 campaign.
• Ball State is 778-353 (.688) all-time on its home floor and 246-110 (.691) inside Worthen Arena.
