Friday, March 8
Muncie, Ind.
7:00 PM ET
Ball State University
15-16
57
vs
64
Northern Illinois
15-16
1
2
F
Northern Ill.
27
37
64
Ball St.
28
29
57
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Cardinals Fall to NIU on Senior Night, Set for MAC Tourney Opener at EMU
March 08, 2019 | Men's Basketball
Ball State opens game on 18-4 run but goes cold in regular season finale
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State got off to a blistering offensive start but stalled out Friday in a 64-57 loss to Northern Illinois in the regular season finale.
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The Huskies (15-16, 8-10 MAC) used a 9-0 run to break open a game that was tied at 45 with 7 minutes to play and held off the Cardinals to even the season series. The Cardinals (15-16, 6-12 MAC) won 72-71 last month in DeKalb.
With Friday's results, next week's MAC Tournament bracket is set. Ball State will be the No. 11 seed and visit No. 6 seed Eastern Michigan for a 7 p.m. tipoff Monday in a first-round game. The winner will advance to meet No. 3 seed Bowling Green in Thursday's quarterfinal round at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
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Tayler Persons scored 14 points Friday in his final game at Worthen Arena, while Trey Moses stuffed the stat sheet with 16 rebounds, five points, five assists, five blocks and two steals in his.
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Ball State recognized Persons, Moses and Austin Nehls with a pre-game ceremony and then raced out to an 18-4 lead through eight minutes. But the Cardinals made just one field goal over the next eight and took just a 28-27 lead into halftime.
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The second half went back and forth, and the game was tied at 45. But Eugene German hit a 3-pointer to ignite NIU's nine-point surge, and the Huskies never trailed again.
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German, the second-leading scorer in the MAC, went for 15 points. Levi Bradley led four Northern Illinois players in double figures with 22.
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Tahjai Teague lad Ball State with 15 points, and K.J. Walton added 10.
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The Huskies (15-16, 8-10 MAC) used a 9-0 run to break open a game that was tied at 45 with 7 minutes to play and held off the Cardinals to even the season series. The Cardinals (15-16, 6-12 MAC) won 72-71 last month in DeKalb.
With Friday's results, next week's MAC Tournament bracket is set. Ball State will be the No. 11 seed and visit No. 6 seed Eastern Michigan for a 7 p.m. tipoff Monday in a first-round game. The winner will advance to meet No. 3 seed Bowling Green in Thursday's quarterfinal round at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Â
Tayler Persons scored 14 points Friday in his final game at Worthen Arena, while Trey Moses stuffed the stat sheet with 16 rebounds, five points, five assists, five blocks and two steals in his.
Â
Ball State recognized Persons, Moses and Austin Nehls with a pre-game ceremony and then raced out to an 18-4 lead through eight minutes. But the Cardinals made just one field goal over the next eight and took just a 28-27 lead into halftime.
Â
The second half went back and forth, and the game was tied at 45. But Eugene German hit a 3-pointer to ignite NIU's nine-point surge, and the Huskies never trailed again.
Â
German, the second-leading scorer in the MAC, went for 15 points. Levi Bradley led four Northern Illinois players in double figures with 22.
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Tahjai Teague lad Ball State with 15 points, and K.J. Walton added 10.
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Â"Similar struggle for us. We really struggled to score ... There's still a chapter to be written for us, and hopefully we can make one of those special runs."
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) March 9, 2019
Coach Whitford talks about tonight's game, his seniors and the upcoming tournament. pic.twitter.com/TjFGiXRNfs
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Â.@Treymoses24 describes his emotions on Senior Night and reflects on his time in Worthen Arena. pic.twitter.com/LbSlH0JRR3
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) March 9, 2019
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Â"Life is deeper than basketball ... I love my teammates."@TaylerPersons8 finding some perspective after tonight's loss to NIU in the regular season finale. pic.twitter.com/MTy2KaaNSp
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) March 9, 2019
Team Stats
NIU
BSU
FG%
.368
.453
3FG%
.267
.143
FT%
1.000
.500
RB
35
42
TO
5
17
STL
10
4
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
C
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