Tuesday, January 31
Muncie, Ind.
7:00 PM ET
Ball State University
15-7 (6-3MAC)
81
vs
80
Toledo
11-11 (4-5MAC)
1
2
F
Toledo
46
34
80
Ball State
44
37
81
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Persons’ 26 Lift Men’s Hoops over Toledo
January 31, 2017 | Men's Basketball
Cardinals take over sole possession of first place in MAC West Division
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Tayler Persons' 26 points and eight assists led the Ball State men's basketball team to a nail-biting 81-80 win Tuesday over the Toledo Rockets. The Cardinals have now won six of their past seven games and sit alone atop the Mid-American Conference West Division.
"Tayler's performance was exceptional in every way, from top to bottom, in every category," Ball State coach James Whitford said. "He completely controlled the game and kept us in the game. Another thing he did that I was really impressed with was his composure and leadership."
Ball State (15-7, 6-3 MAC) struggled to get any shots to fall early, starting the game just 1 for 7 from the field. Meanwhile, the Rockets (11-11, 4-5 MAC) started the game red-hot, scoring on their first four possessions, to take a quick 10-0 lead.
The Cardinals slowly worked their way back. They were able to cut Toledo's lead to just two points at halftime, trailing 46-44. Ball State had three players in double figures at the midway point: Persons (16), Tahjai Teague (11), and Franko House (10).
The Cardinals stepped up their defense in the second half, and a Persons old-school 3-point play tied the game at 48 with 17:45 remaining.
Toledo regained a seven-point lead, 61-54, before Ball State came storming back. The Cardinals went on 14-2 run to take a 68-63 advantage with 8:17 to play and never looked back.
Ball State led by as many as nine with 2:23 remaining in the game. Toledo connected on a trio of 3-pointers in the closing minutes to cut the lead to one, but the Cardinals hung on for their third straight win.
"It was an exciting game," Whitford said. "I thought our guys played with great energy in the second half."
House finished with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Teague came off the bench to drop a career-high 16 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the field in just 10 minutes of action because of foul trouble.
Steve Taylor Jr. led Toledo with 23 points and 18 rebounds. Luke Knapke added 18 points, and Jaelan Sanford scored 15.
In the paint, Ball State dropped 34 points and held Toledo to just 18. The Cardinals finished 31 of 71 (43.7 percent) from the field and 9 of 24 (37.5 percent) from beyond the arc.
The Cardinals will play at home again Friday with a 9 p.m. tipoff against Buffalo. The game will air on ESPNU.
"Tayler's performance was exceptional in every way, from top to bottom, in every category," Ball State coach James Whitford said. "He completely controlled the game and kept us in the game. Another thing he did that I was really impressed with was his composure and leadership."
Ball State (15-7, 6-3 MAC) struggled to get any shots to fall early, starting the game just 1 for 7 from the field. Meanwhile, the Rockets (11-11, 4-5 MAC) started the game red-hot, scoring on their first four possessions, to take a quick 10-0 lead.
The Cardinals slowly worked their way back. They were able to cut Toledo's lead to just two points at halftime, trailing 46-44. Ball State had three players in double figures at the midway point: Persons (16), Tahjai Teague (11), and Franko House (10).
The Cardinals stepped up their defense in the second half, and a Persons old-school 3-point play tied the game at 48 with 17:45 remaining.
Toledo regained a seven-point lead, 61-54, before Ball State came storming back. The Cardinals went on 14-2 run to take a 68-63 advantage with 8:17 to play and never looked back.
Ball State led by as many as nine with 2:23 remaining in the game. Toledo connected on a trio of 3-pointers in the closing minutes to cut the lead to one, but the Cardinals hung on for their third straight win.
"It was an exciting game," Whitford said. "I thought our guys played with great energy in the second half."
House finished with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Teague came off the bench to drop a career-high 16 points, shooting 6-of-7 from the field in just 10 minutes of action because of foul trouble.
Steve Taylor Jr. led Toledo with 23 points and 18 rebounds. Luke Knapke added 18 points, and Jaelan Sanford scored 15.
In the paint, Ball State dropped 34 points and held Toledo to just 18. The Cardinals finished 31 of 71 (43.7 percent) from the field and 9 of 24 (37.5 percent) from beyond the arc.
The Cardinals will play at home again Friday with a 9 p.m. tipoff against Buffalo. The game will air on ESPNU.
Team Stats
TOLEDO
BSU
FG%
.433
.437
3FG%
.478
.375
FT%
.810
.714
RB
38
40
TO
12
11
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Pts
26
FGM
11
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
19
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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