Saturday, October 29
Muncie, Ind.
2 p.m.
Ball State University
87
vs
60
DePauw
Photo by: Jake Ellis - Ball State Athletics
Cardinals use strong second half to surge past Depauw in exhibition
October 29, 2022 | Men's Basketball
Ball State outscores Depauw 49-23 in final 20 minutes
MUNCIE, Ind. – In its first official game action of the 2022-23 season, Ball State used a strong second half to overpower Depauw in an exhibition Saturday afternoon, 87-60.
After leading by just one at halftime, 38-37, the Cardinals outscored the Tigers 49-23 in the second half.
"It was good for us to get out and play in front of fans," Michael Lewis, who toed the sideline for the first time as Ball State's head coach said. "That's why you play these games. We got a lot out of our scrimmage with Wright State that gave us some things to work on this week. Obviously, I was not very thrilled with how we started the game, but I'm really pleased with what we did coming out of halftime.
"Whenever you play these exhibitions and you play these teams, obviously, they're not as big as we are. You get a 6-foot-9, 260-pound Payton Sparks trying to guard guards. They spread you out, you overhelp and they kick it. They were 8-for-16 from 3 in the first half. We just started switching all of their ball screens, covered the 3-point line, made them beat us off the dribble and score over the top of us. We did a really good job in the second half holding them to 26 percent shooting and 23 points in the second half. The defensive effort in the second half was what we're looking for, and then we just settled down offensively."
The Cardinals shot 56 percent from the floor in the second half, which included makes from eight different players across the final 20 minutes. In addition, Ball State controlled the glass, 29-17, in the second half.
Four Cardinals reached double figures on the day, led by Jarron Coleman's 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Demarius Jacobs contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Payton Sparks racked up 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals and a block, while Jalen Windham added 12 points and three dimes.
Off the bench, Mickey Pearson Jr. had a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with six points, while Basheer Jihad had an all-around game with eight points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
"As we build this program to what we all want it to become, we've got teach these guys how to win," Lewis added. "There were a few possessions there where we took an ill-advised shot - those are all teaching moments. This is a team that wants to win, they just don't understand how to win. As much as you try to simulate those things in practice, it's really difficult until you get into game situations. This was really good for us, just like last week. The first half was not great, but in the second half, I was pleased with our effort."
Ball State opens the season Monday, Nov. 7 when it hosts Earlham for a 7 p.m. ET tip inside Worthen Arena.
After leading by just one at halftime, 38-37, the Cardinals outscored the Tigers 49-23 in the second half.
"It was good for us to get out and play in front of fans," Michael Lewis, who toed the sideline for the first time as Ball State's head coach said. "That's why you play these games. We got a lot out of our scrimmage with Wright State that gave us some things to work on this week. Obviously, I was not very thrilled with how we started the game, but I'm really pleased with what we did coming out of halftime.
"Whenever you play these exhibitions and you play these teams, obviously, they're not as big as we are. You get a 6-foot-9, 260-pound Payton Sparks trying to guard guards. They spread you out, you overhelp and they kick it. They were 8-for-16 from 3 in the first half. We just started switching all of their ball screens, covered the 3-point line, made them beat us off the dribble and score over the top of us. We did a really good job in the second half holding them to 26 percent shooting and 23 points in the second half. The defensive effort in the second half was what we're looking for, and then we just settled down offensively."
The Cardinals shot 56 percent from the floor in the second half, which included makes from eight different players across the final 20 minutes. In addition, Ball State controlled the glass, 29-17, in the second half.
Four Cardinals reached double figures on the day, led by Jarron Coleman's 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Demarius Jacobs contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Payton Sparks racked up 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals and a block, while Jalen Windham added 12 points and three dimes.
Off the bench, Mickey Pearson Jr. had a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with six points, while Basheer Jihad had an all-around game with eight points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
"As we build this program to what we all want it to become, we've got teach these guys how to win," Lewis added. "There were a few possessions there where we took an ill-advised shot - those are all teaching moments. This is a team that wants to win, they just don't understand how to win. As much as you try to simulate those things in practice, it's really difficult until you get into game situations. This was really good for us, just like last week. The first half was not great, but in the second half, I was pleased with our effort."
Ball State opens the season Monday, Nov. 7 when it hosts Earlham for a 7 p.m. ET tip inside Worthen Arena.
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