Ball State University Athletics
Tuesday, November 26
Muncie, Ind.
6:00 PM ET
Ball State University
4-3,0-0MAC
62
vs
69
Western Illinois
2-4,0-0Summit League
1
2
F
Western Ill.
34
35
69
Ball St.
23
39
62
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Cardinals Rally Comes Up Just Short in 69-62 Loss to Western Illinois
November 26, 2019 | Men's Basketball
El-Amin scores career-high 21 points, Teague posts double-double
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State was hot and cold from the floor Tuesday night in Worthen Arena. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, there was a little too much from the cold side in a 69-62 loss to Western Illinois.
Fresh off a record-setting 3-point shooting performance against Howard on Saturday, Ball State (4-3) came out ice cold from beyond the arc versus Western Illinois (2-4). The Cardinals missed their first 13 attempts from beyond the arc, allowing Western Illinois to race out to a 32-12 lead in the first half.
"I thought Billy (Wright) and his staff did a great job of preparing for us," Ball State head coach James Whitford said. "They played a great game, especially defensively. They gave us a lot of problems."
Ishmael El-Amin finally connected from long range with 2:22 remaining in the opening half. That play seemed to ignite the Ball State offense, as Brachen Hazen and El-Amin hit two more 3-pointers before halftime to help the Cardinals slash the deficit to 34-23 at the break.
Western Illinois pushed its lead back to 16, 51-35, eight minutes into second half, but the Cardinals would not go away. El-Amin and Kyle Mallers hit back-to-back 3-pointers a few minutes later, and suddenly Ball State found itself within five points of WIU, 53-48. Two more El-Amin trifectas had the home crowd on its feet and the Cardinals only a point behind the Leathernecks with 6:19 left, 55-54.
Ball State eventually leveled the score at 59 on another Mallers 3-pointer with 3:49 showing on the clock. Western Illinois put a halt to the rally with 3-pointers from C.J. Duff and Kobe Webster on its next two possessions. Following the big 3-pointer from Mallers, the Cardinals missed their final six shots from the floor.
"There's no excuse for us," Whitford said. "I thought we unraveled in the first 15 minutes, and we unraveled in the final three. It's disappointing. We've got to be better than that. "
El-Amin posted career highs in points (21) and 3-pointers (5) to lead all players. Tahjai Teague chipped in with his 17th career double-double. He tied his personal high with 14 rebounds.
Webster led four Western Illinois players in double figures with 18 points. Zion Young and James Claar each posted double-doubles.
This was the first meeting between the two schools since 1993.
Ball State is back in action next Tuesday, Dec. 3, with a home game against Loyola Chicago. The contest will air on ESPN+ at 7 p.m.
Fresh off a record-setting 3-point shooting performance against Howard on Saturday, Ball State (4-3) came out ice cold from beyond the arc versus Western Illinois (2-4). The Cardinals missed their first 13 attempts from beyond the arc, allowing Western Illinois to race out to a 32-12 lead in the first half.
"I thought Billy (Wright) and his staff did a great job of preparing for us," Ball State head coach James Whitford said. "They played a great game, especially defensively. They gave us a lot of problems."
Ishmael El-Amin finally connected from long range with 2:22 remaining in the opening half. That play seemed to ignite the Ball State offense, as Brachen Hazen and El-Amin hit two more 3-pointers before halftime to help the Cardinals slash the deficit to 34-23 at the break.
Maybe this one got the lid off.
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) November 26, 2019
Ish drains a 3-ball, the first of three of them in the closing minutes of the half (two from Ish, one from Brachen).
We're headed to the break:
Leathernecks 34, Cardinals 23 pic.twitter.com/Zsfixw8K6q
Western Illinois pushed its lead back to 16, 51-35, eight minutes into second half, but the Cardinals would not go away. El-Amin and Kyle Mallers hit back-to-back 3-pointers a few minutes later, and suddenly Ball State found itself within five points of WIU, 53-48. Two more El-Amin trifectas had the home crowd on its feet and the Cardinals only a point behind the Leathernecks with 6:19 left, 55-54.
Ball State eventually leveled the score at 59 on another Mallers 3-pointer with 3:49 showing on the clock. Western Illinois put a halt to the rally with 3-pointers from C.J. Duff and Kobe Webster on its next two possessions. Following the big 3-pointer from Mallers, the Cardinals missed their final six shots from the floor.
"There's no excuse for us," Whitford said. "I thought we unraveled in the first 15 minutes, and we unraveled in the final three. It's disappointing. We've got to be better than that. "
El-Amin posted career highs in points (21) and 3-pointers (5) to lead all players. Tahjai Teague chipped in with his 17th career double-double. He tied his personal high with 14 rebounds.
Webster led four Western Illinois players in double figures with 18 points. Zion Young and James Claar each posted double-doubles.
This was the first meeting between the two schools since 1993.
Ball State is back in action next Tuesday, Dec. 3, with a home game against Loyola Chicago. The contest will air on ESPN+ at 7 p.m.
"I give credit to Western Illinois. I thought they played a great game."
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) November 27, 2019
— Coach Whit breaks down tonight's struggles pic.twitter.com/fLjoWoPa1T
Team Stats
WIU
BSU
FG%
.387
.344
3FG%
.421
.281
FT%
1.000
.579
RB
41
41
TO
12
16
STL
6
4
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
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