Wednesday, November 3
Muncie, Ind.
7 p.m.
Ball State University
69
vs
70
Michigan Tech
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Cardinals Fall in Exhibition to Huskies
November 03, 2021 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team hosted an NCAA Division II powerhouse in Michigan Tech on Wednesday in an exhibition. The Cardinals fell to the Huskies 70-69.
Last season, the Huskies made it to the Elite 8 and returned four of their starting five. All four of the MTU returners averaged double digits a season ago.
The Cardinals were led by Tyler Cochran with 13 points with seven rebounds, three steals, and a team-high five assists. Luke Bumbalough added 12 points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal. Jaylin Sellers posted a game-high five steals with 10 points and three boards. Payton Sparks notched a double-digit scoring performance with 10 and added two assists, and two rebounds. Miryne Thomas produced a game-high 10 boards and added seven points and two assists.
Trent Bell went for a game-high 17 points and added three steals, and three rebounds for Michigan Tech. Eric Carl chipped in with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Owen White was the other Huskie in double digits with 12. He added a team-high eight boards with four assists and one steal.
The Cardinals open the season on Tuesday, Nov. 9 on the road at Georgia Southern. The game is scheduled for an ESPN+ broadcast and is slated for a 7 p.m. tip.
From the Head Coach – Head Coach James Whitford
"I think we got system-whooped for a lot of the game tonight. They're a very experienced team and they went to the Elite 8 last year. They got the whole team back and what you can really sense is how well they play together and what you can really sense on our end is how new we are and they're very good at what they do. We played this game for a reason. We played this game because I knew it would really test us and challenge us. I wanted to get through the nerves of playing under the lights. We accomplished two of the three. We just didn't win the game. We'll learn from it. This time of year, you get into situations like we did tonight. No one here is panicking, it's a great lesson for us. We played a really good team and they deserved to win the game."
From the Student-Athletes – Junior Guard #2 Luke Bumbalough
"It felt good. It's not the outcome we wanted. It was just good to have fans back in the gym and feel their energy. We need to take this as a learning experience and not looking at it the wrong way, but the right way. Taking the things, we need to work on and take it as a learning experience. We need to be ready for practice tomorrow and move to the next day."
From the Student-Athletes – Junior Guard #45 Tyler Cochran
"It felt good to finally get out there again and play with these guys that are ready to compete. We always talk about the next play, next play. After this one, we're going to take it in the chest and move to the next day. We'll be ready to go tomorrow."
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*For tickets call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
Last season, the Huskies made it to the Elite 8 and returned four of their starting five. All four of the MTU returners averaged double digits a season ago.
The Cardinals were led by Tyler Cochran with 13 points with seven rebounds, three steals, and a team-high five assists. Luke Bumbalough added 12 points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal. Jaylin Sellers posted a game-high five steals with 10 points and three boards. Payton Sparks notched a double-digit scoring performance with 10 and added two assists, and two rebounds. Miryne Thomas produced a game-high 10 boards and added seven points and two assists.
Trent Bell went for a game-high 17 points and added three steals, and three rebounds for Michigan Tech. Eric Carl chipped in with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Owen White was the other Huskie in double digits with 12. He added a team-high eight boards with four assists and one steal.
The Cardinals open the season on Tuesday, Nov. 9 on the road at Georgia Southern. The game is scheduled for an ESPN+ broadcast and is slated for a 7 p.m. tip.
From the Head Coach – Head Coach James Whitford
"I think we got system-whooped for a lot of the game tonight. They're a very experienced team and they went to the Elite 8 last year. They got the whole team back and what you can really sense is how well they play together and what you can really sense on our end is how new we are and they're very good at what they do. We played this game for a reason. We played this game because I knew it would really test us and challenge us. I wanted to get through the nerves of playing under the lights. We accomplished two of the three. We just didn't win the game. We'll learn from it. This time of year, you get into situations like we did tonight. No one here is panicking, it's a great lesson for us. We played a really good team and they deserved to win the game."
From the Student-Athletes – Junior Guard #2 Luke Bumbalough
"It felt good. It's not the outcome we wanted. It was just good to have fans back in the gym and feel their energy. We need to take this as a learning experience and not looking at it the wrong way, but the right way. Taking the things, we need to work on and take it as a learning experience. We need to be ready for practice tomorrow and move to the next day."
From the Student-Athletes – Junior Guard #45 Tyler Cochran
"It felt good to finally get out there again and play with these guys that are ready to compete. We always talk about the next play, next play. After this one, we're going to take it in the chest and move to the next day. We'll be ready to go tomorrow."
Follow the Cardinals
*For tickets call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
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