Saturday, January 8
Ypsilanti, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Ball State University
78
at
72
Eastern Michigan
Photo by: Chad Smith
Cardinals Get Tough Road Win Against Eagles
January 08, 2022 | Men's Basketball
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Luke Bumbalough led the Ball State men's basketball team with a game-high 20 points. The Cardinals improved to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in the Mid-American Conference, while Eastern Michigan fell to 6-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play, with BSU's 78-72 victory.
Ball State gave Eastern Michigan its first loss in the MAC as well as the first home loss of the season.
Bumbalough recorded his third game of the year with 20 points, with 20 in Saturday's contest. He tied with Payton Sparks for the team lead in rebounding with six. Tyler Cochran finished with 15 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line. Sparks added 11 points. Miryne Thomas and Demarius Jacobs each chipped in with 10 points. Jacobs notched a game-high four assists. Jaylin Sellers and Sparks each blocked a shot. Sellers added nine points and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the field along with a team-high three steals.
EMU jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first two minutes of play. The Cardinals were resilient and respond with a run of their own and tied the game at 12-12, with 14:06 left in the first half. Ball State added an 11-5 run to take a 26-22 lead with 7:22 left in the half. BSU utilized a 13-8 run as the half ended and took a 39-34 lead into the half.
The Eagles started the second half with a 15-5 run and took a 49-44 lead with 15:47 left in the second half. The Cardinals were unfazed and responded with a 16-3 run to take a 60-52 lead with 10:06 left.
Eastern Michigan managed to tie the game at 60-60 with 6:41 remaining on the clock. Solid defense and clutch free throws down the stretch secured the 78-72 victory for Ball State. During the final six minutes of play, BSU made 11 free throws and held EMU to four field goals.
The Cardinals and the Eagles were even on rebounding with 37 each. Steals were tied at seven apiece. Ball State produced more assists, 15-12, and BSU outscored EMU 26-16 on points off turnovers.
Colin Golson led the Eagles with 16 points. Noah Farrakhan and Darion Spottsville added double-digit performances with 13 and 12, respectively. Nate Scott brought down a game-high nine rebounds. Farrakhan recorded a game-high four steals.
The Cardinals are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 11, for a MAC contest at Akron. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.
From the Coach – Head Coach James Whitford
"It's a great win! I thought we did everything right in the first half. It's the second game in a row where we broke down after half time. From the 16-minute mark, I thought we played great. Payton's a big physical guy and he's a great player. Demarius Jacobs has been great. We've seen it every day in practice, and we know he can do it. Jaylin Sellers played his best game in a Ball State uniform today. Although he went 4-for-4, he did all the little things exceptional."
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Ball State gave Eastern Michigan its first loss in the MAC as well as the first home loss of the season.
Bumbalough recorded his third game of the year with 20 points, with 20 in Saturday's contest. He tied with Payton Sparks for the team lead in rebounding with six. Tyler Cochran finished with 15 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line. Sparks added 11 points. Miryne Thomas and Demarius Jacobs each chipped in with 10 points. Jacobs notched a game-high four assists. Jaylin Sellers and Sparks each blocked a shot. Sellers added nine points and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the field along with a team-high three steals.
EMU jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first two minutes of play. The Cardinals were resilient and respond with a run of their own and tied the game at 12-12, with 14:06 left in the first half. Ball State added an 11-5 run to take a 26-22 lead with 7:22 left in the half. BSU utilized a 13-8 run as the half ended and took a 39-34 lead into the half.
The Eagles started the second half with a 15-5 run and took a 49-44 lead with 15:47 left in the second half. The Cardinals were unfazed and responded with a 16-3 run to take a 60-52 lead with 10:06 left.
Eastern Michigan managed to tie the game at 60-60 with 6:41 remaining on the clock. Solid defense and clutch free throws down the stretch secured the 78-72 victory for Ball State. During the final six minutes of play, BSU made 11 free throws and held EMU to four field goals.
The Cardinals and the Eagles were even on rebounding with 37 each. Steals were tied at seven apiece. Ball State produced more assists, 15-12, and BSU outscored EMU 26-16 on points off turnovers.
Colin Golson led the Eagles with 16 points. Noah Farrakhan and Darion Spottsville added double-digit performances with 13 and 12, respectively. Nate Scott brought down a game-high nine rebounds. Farrakhan recorded a game-high four steals.
The Cardinals are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 11, for a MAC contest at Akron. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.
From the Coach – Head Coach James Whitford
"It's a great win! I thought we did everything right in the first half. It's the second game in a row where we broke down after half time. From the 16-minute mark, I thought we played great. Payton's a big physical guy and he's a great player. Demarius Jacobs has been great. We've seen it every day in practice, and we know he can do it. Jaylin Sellers played his best game in a Ball State uniform today. Although he went 4-for-4, he did all the little things exceptional."
Follow the Cardinals
*For tickets call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
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