Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Justin Casterline
Persons Raking in Honors after Cardinals’ Huge Week
December 11, 2017 | Men's Basketball
Junior point guard hit dramatic 3-pointers to defeat Notre Dame, Valpo
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State's Tayler Persons is being recognized around the college basketball world for his big performances in the Cardinals' wins over Notre Dame and Valparaiso.
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Persons was honored Monday with each of the following awards …
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· Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week
· NBC Sports Player of the Week
· CollegeInsider.com Lou Henson Player of the Week
· College Sports Madness High-Major Player of the Week
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Persons demonstrated a remarkable flare for the dramatic to lead Ball State to the program's biggest week in well over a decade. He hit two thrilling game-winners and averaged 23.5 points per game in Ball State's wins over No. 8 Notre Dame and a Valparaiso team that was receiving votes in the AP poll.
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The junior point guard from Kokomo, Indiana, dropped 24 points Tuesday against the Fighting Irish as the Cardinals posted their first-ever road victory over a top-10 opponent. He scored 14 of his points in the second half and drilled the winning 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining in a tied game to give Ball State an 80-77 victory.
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No Mid-American Conference team had defeated an opponent rated as highly as the eighth-ranked Irish since the Cardinals beat No. 4 Kansas and No. 3 UCLA on back-to-back days in the 2001 Maui Invitational.
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Persons was back at it again Saturday against Valparaiso, a team that is currently No. 72 in the NCAA RPI. With Ball State trailing by two as the clock ticked down, Persons buried another 3 from virtually the same spot with 3.3 seconds left to lift the Cardinals to a 71-70 victory and extend the team's winning streak to five games.
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He scored the final 10 points for Ball State and finished the afternoon with 23 points, five assists and five rebounds. It was his fourth 20-point game of the season.
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Persons shot 53 percent for the week (19 for 36) and 56 percent from beyond the arc (5 for 9). He also averaged 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. The preseason All-MAC West Division selection leads the Cardinals with averages of 16.9 points and 4.4 assists per game for the year.
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Ball State (6-4) has played the nation's 21st-ranked schedule, according to Ken Pomeroy. The Cardinals, who are No. 76 in the RPI, are off this week for final exams but will continue a six-game home stand Dec. 19 with a 7 p.m. tip against North Florida at Worthen Arena.
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Persons was honored Monday with each of the following awards …
Â
· Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week
· NBC Sports Player of the Week
· CollegeInsider.com Lou Henson Player of the Week
· College Sports Madness High-Major Player of the Week
Â
Persons demonstrated a remarkable flare for the dramatic to lead Ball State to the program's biggest week in well over a decade. He hit two thrilling game-winners and averaged 23.5 points per game in Ball State's wins over No. 8 Notre Dame and a Valparaiso team that was receiving votes in the AP poll.
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The junior point guard from Kokomo, Indiana, dropped 24 points Tuesday against the Fighting Irish as the Cardinals posted their first-ever road victory over a top-10 opponent. He scored 14 of his points in the second half and drilled the winning 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining in a tied game to give Ball State an 80-77 victory.
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No Mid-American Conference team had defeated an opponent rated as highly as the eighth-ranked Irish since the Cardinals beat No. 4 Kansas and No. 3 UCLA on back-to-back days in the 2001 Maui Invitational.
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Â[VIDEO] @BallSateMBB shocks #9 Notre Dame 80 - 77 in South Bend. @TaylerPersons8 led the Cardinals with 24 points and hits the game winning three!!! #WeFly #ChirpChirp pic.twitter.com/FEXpLXDkUE
— Ball State Sports (@BallStateSports) December 6, 2017
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Persons was back at it again Saturday against Valparaiso, a team that is currently No. 72 in the NCAA RPI. With Ball State trailing by two as the clock ticked down, Persons buried another 3 from virtually the same spot with 3.3 seconds left to lift the Cardinals to a 71-70 victory and extend the team's winning streak to five games.
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He scored the final 10 points for Ball State and finished the afternoon with 23 points, five assists and five rebounds. It was his fourth 20-point game of the season.
Â[VIDEO] @TaylerPersons did it again! @BallStateMBB takes down its second Top 100 team this week, 71-70, beating Valpo! #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/1OuEhXMfkC
— Ball State Sports (@BallStateSports) December 9, 2017
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Persons shot 53 percent for the week (19 for 36) and 56 percent from beyond the arc (5 for 9). He also averaged 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. The preseason All-MAC West Division selection leads the Cardinals with averages of 16.9 points and 4.4 assists per game for the year.
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Ball State (6-4) has played the nation's 21st-ranked schedule, according to Ken Pomeroy. The Cardinals, who are No. 76 in the RPI, are off this week for final exams but will continue a six-game home stand Dec. 19 with a 7 p.m. tip against North Florida at Worthen Arena.
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Players Mentioned
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