Saturday, December 7
Muncie, Ind.
1:00 PM ET
Ball State University
5-4,0-0MAC
102
vs
54
IUPUI
2-8,0-0Horizon
1
2
F
IUPUI
24
30
54
Ball St.
40
62
102
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Cardinals Dismantle IUPUI with Most Complete Performance Yet
December 07, 2019 | Men's Basketball
Ball State runs away from Jaguars with 62-point outburst in second half
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State head coach James Whitford classified his team's 102-54 victory Saturday over IUPUI as its most complete performance of the season.
The Cardinals had their moments through the season's first eight games. There was a 100-point outing with a school-record 21 3-pointers against Howard. A thorough handling of in-state rival Indiana State. And a string of quality defensive performances early.
But BSU (5-4) was also coming off its two most disappointing showings of the year, most recently against Loyola Chicago four nights earlier in Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals have been at their best when the ball is moving fast, and they got back to playing that way Saturday. They got back to being a high-assist, low-turnover team and to playing good team defense. And they were clicking on all cylinders against IUPUI (2-8).
"I didn't think we played together against Loyola, and that game was very disappointing to me," Whitford said. "I thought we really played hard (today); we played focused. You could see our intensity defensively. We really shared the ball on offense, guys being patient and locked in on getting great shots."
The Cardinals got great shots and made them to the tune of 55 percent for the game and 65 percent in the second half. Jarron Coleman made 7-of-8 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, on his way to a career-high 20 points. The redshirt freshman drew the starting assignment at point guard and did his damage in just 19 minutes.
Ishmael El-Amin poured in 18 points, including 16 in the first half, while Luke Bumbalough scored all 12 of his points in the second half, making 4-of-5 from beyond the arc after the break. Redshirt freshman Kani Acree scored a career-high 11 points in his most extensive action yet, and Kyle Mallers also added 11.
Ball State took a 16-point lead into the locker room and then consistently pulled further away over the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Jaguars 62-30 in the second half.
Tahjai Teague swatted away shots to the tune of a career-high six blocks, and the Cardinals held the Horizon League's second-leading scorer, Marcus Burk, 13 points below his average with just eight on the afternoon. Jaylen Minnett led the Jaguars with 17.
"I've watched them play a lot of good teams," Whitford said, "and no one has dismantled them to the level we did today."
It's true IUPUI has suffered a few lopsided losses this season, but none of them came by as large a margin as Saturday's rout. The Jaguars also have a sizeable road win at American Athletic Conference foe South Florida on their resume.
Saturday's win was key for a Ball State team that now enters an 11-day break before its toughest stretch yet. The Cardinals visit Georgia Tech on Dec. 18 and then head to Honolulu for three games at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic where they will open against defending Pac-12 regular season champion Washington.
The Cardinals have been up-and-down in the early going of the season, but a performance like Saturday's is evidence of the potential this group possesses.
"What excites me is when we've played well, we've played really well," Whitford said.
The Cardinals had their moments through the season's first eight games. There was a 100-point outing with a school-record 21 3-pointers against Howard. A thorough handling of in-state rival Indiana State. And a string of quality defensive performances early.
But BSU (5-4) was also coming off its two most disappointing showings of the year, most recently against Loyola Chicago four nights earlier in Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals have been at their best when the ball is moving fast, and they got back to playing that way Saturday. They got back to being a high-assist, low-turnover team and to playing good team defense. And they were clicking on all cylinders against IUPUI (2-8).
"I didn't think we played together against Loyola, and that game was very disappointing to me," Whitford said. "I thought we really played hard (today); we played focused. You could see our intensity defensively. We really shared the ball on offense, guys being patient and locked in on getting great shots."
Under 16 minute media timeout. Ball State continues to build its lead as they lead IUPUI 54-33. Jarron Coleman has a NEW CAREER HIGH 17 points while Ishmael El-Amin has 18 points and 4 assists, including this dime to Brachen Hazen???? #ChirpChirp | #WeFly | #BSUvsIUPUI pic.twitter.com/9DCVJdI3VQ
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) December 7, 2019
The Cardinals got great shots and made them to the tune of 55 percent for the game and 65 percent in the second half. Jarron Coleman made 7-of-8 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, on his way to a career-high 20 points. The redshirt freshman drew the starting assignment at point guard and did his damage in just 19 minutes.
Ishmael El-Amin poured in 18 points, including 16 in the first half, while Luke Bumbalough scored all 12 of his points in the second half, making 4-of-5 from beyond the arc after the break. Redshirt freshman Kani Acree scored a career-high 11 points in his most extensive action yet, and Kyle Mallers also added 11.
Ball State took a 16-point lead into the locker room and then consistently pulled further away over the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Jaguars 62-30 in the second half.
Tahjai Teague swatted away shots to the tune of a career-high six blocks, and the Cardinals held the Horizon League's second-leading scorer, Marcus Burk, 13 points below his average with just eight on the afternoon. Jaylen Minnett led the Jaguars with 17.
"I've watched them play a lot of good teams," Whitford said, "and no one has dismantled them to the level we did today."
Not one but TWO!! rejections for Tahjai Teague #ChirpChirp | #WeFly | #BSUvsIUPUI pic.twitter.com/d4m0XW6oky
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) December 7, 2019
It's true IUPUI has suffered a few lopsided losses this season, but none of them came by as large a margin as Saturday's rout. The Jaguars also have a sizeable road win at American Athletic Conference foe South Florida on their resume.
Saturday's win was key for a Ball State team that now enters an 11-day break before its toughest stretch yet. The Cardinals visit Georgia Tech on Dec. 18 and then head to Honolulu for three games at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic where they will open against defending Pac-12 regular season champion Washington.
The Cardinals have been up-and-down in the early going of the season, but a performance like Saturday's is evidence of the potential this group possesses.
"What excites me is when we've played well, we've played really well," Whitford said.
"I thought we really played a complete game today for 40 minutes. Probably the most complete game we've played on both sides of the ball."
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) December 7, 2019
— Coach Whit after today's 102-54 victory over IUPUI pic.twitter.com/X1kBO23g6i
Team Stats
IUPUI
BSU
FG%
.302
.552
3FG%
.357
.441
FT%
.579
.793
RB
35
38
TO
16
9
STL
4
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
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