Saturday, February 23
Muncie, Ind.
2:00 PM ET
Ball State University
57
vs
64
Central Michigan
1
2
F
Central Mich.
23
41
64
Ball St.
34
23
57
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Central Michigan Storms Back to Knock Off Ball State, 64-57
February 23, 2019 | Men's Basketball
Chippewas overcome 14-point deficit to split the season series
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State men's basketball team led by as many as 14 points in the second half Saturday but went cold down the stretch, as visiting Central Michigan rallied for a 64-57 victory.
Â
The Cardinals were celebrating Hoosieroons and Hoops Day as part of the university's centennial celebration, wearing jerseys with "Hoosieroons" emblazoned across the chest. In the 1920s, the school was known as the Indiana Normal School Eastern Division Hoosieroons.
Â
Four straight points from Tahjai Teague early in the second half gave Ball State (14-13, 5-9 MAC) a 40-26 advantage.
Â
Central Michigan (19-8, 8-6) fought back to even the score at 47 and then again at 55. A Kevin McKay putback with 3:32 left gave CMU the lead for good, 57-55. The Chippewas evened the season series, after Ball State won last month in Mount Pleasant.
Â
"This was a really tough and disappointing loss for us," Ball State head coach James Whitford said. "I told the team in the locker room, this is going to test our character. No excuses; there's no question this was a game we let get away. Full credit to Central Michigan for their relentlessness on the glass."
Â
Central Michigan ended the game on a 15-2 run. Ball State only made one field goal the final 6:30 of the contest. The Cardinals committed 14 turnovers and had four assists in the second half after recording 10 helpers and seven turnovers in the first.
Â
McKay led all players in points (17) and rebounds (19) to record his 10th career double-double. His 19 boards, which included seven offensive rebounds, were a personal high. The Chippewas finished with a 45-33 advantage on the glass.
For Ball State, Teague moved closer to the 1,000-point plateau with a team-high 12 points. He needs six more points to reach that career mark and join teammates Tayler Persons, Trey Moses and Austin Nehls.
Â
Meanwhile, Ishmael El-Amin returned to action after missing the previous 14 games. The sophomore guard chipped in with eight points, three rebounds and one assist in his first action since injuring his wrist Dec. 20. It was the first time since Dec. 1 that Ball State had the services of both El-Amin and Brachen Hazen.
Â
Ball State will wrap up the month of February with a home game against MAC West Division leader Toledo Tuesday night. Game time on ESPN+ is set for 7 p.m.Â
Â
Â
The Cardinals were celebrating Hoosieroons and Hoops Day as part of the university's centennial celebration, wearing jerseys with "Hoosieroons" emblazoned across the chest. In the 1920s, the school was known as the Indiana Normal School Eastern Division Hoosieroons.
Â
Four straight points from Tahjai Teague early in the second half gave Ball State (14-13, 5-9 MAC) a 40-26 advantage.
Â
Central Michigan (19-8, 8-6) fought back to even the score at 47 and then again at 55. A Kevin McKay putback with 3:32 left gave CMU the lead for good, 57-55. The Chippewas evened the season series, after Ball State won last month in Mount Pleasant.
Â
"This was a really tough and disappointing loss for us," Ball State head coach James Whitford said. "I told the team in the locker room, this is going to test our character. No excuses; there's no question this was a game we let get away. Full credit to Central Michigan for their relentlessness on the glass."
Â
Central Michigan ended the game on a 15-2 run. Ball State only made one field goal the final 6:30 of the contest. The Cardinals committed 14 turnovers and had four assists in the second half after recording 10 helpers and seven turnovers in the first.
Â
McKay led all players in points (17) and rebounds (19) to record his 10th career double-double. His 19 boards, which included seven offensive rebounds, were a personal high. The Chippewas finished with a 45-33 advantage on the glass.
ÂThe Drive. The Dish. The Finish. What a move by Ishmael El-Amin pic.twitter.com/ixhtbsGBqu
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) February 23, 2019
For Ball State, Teague moved closer to the 1,000-point plateau with a team-high 12 points. He needs six more points to reach that career mark and join teammates Tayler Persons, Trey Moses and Austin Nehls.
Â
Meanwhile, Ishmael El-Amin returned to action after missing the previous 14 games. The sophomore guard chipped in with eight points, three rebounds and one assist in his first action since injuring his wrist Dec. 20. It was the first time since Dec. 1 that Ball State had the services of both El-Amin and Brachen Hazen.
Â
Ball State will wrap up the month of February with a home game against MAC West Division leader Toledo Tuesday night. Game time on ESPN+ is set for 7 p.m.Â
Â
ÂCoach Whitford breaks down today's game against Central Michigan.
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) February 23, 2019
"This was a really tough and disappointing loss for us. I told the team in the locker room, this is going to test our character." pic.twitter.com/JoGY3szFFv
Â.@TheNextElAmin frustrated by today's loss but excited to be back on the court for the first time in two months ... pic.twitter.com/LiZNfu2kOT
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) February 23, 2019
Team Stats
CMU
BSU
FG%
.369
.393
3FG%
.316
.176
FT%
.500
.769
RB
45
33
TO
18
21
STL
12
8
Game Leaders
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballSports Link: Meet the Cards (Devon Barnes)
Monday, November 03
Sports Link: Meet the Cards (Juwan Maxey)
Saturday, November 01
Sports Link: Meet the Cards (Elmore James IV)
Friday, October 31
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Mike Uremovich, Tayler Persons, and Andy Stoots
Thursday, October 30