Ball State University Athletics
Tuesday, February 8
Muncie, Ind.
7 p.m.
Ball State University
vs
Central Michigan
Photo by: BSU Photo Services
Ball State Hosts Central Michigan on Tuesday
February 07, 2022 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State Cardinals men's basketball team is back inside Worthen Arena on Tuesday for a Mid-American Conference matchup with Central Michigan. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game is sponsored by IU Health.
Last time out, the Cardinals had six players record double-digit points for the first time since 2018, as Ball State ended Toledo's nine-game winning streak behind a 93-83 victory. Payton Sparks, Luke Bumbalough, Tyler Cochran, Demarius Jacobs, Miryne Thomas, and Jaylin Sellers all scored in double figures. Sparks led the way with 18 points and brought down a game-high 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season, which is second best in the MAC. Sparks dished out four assists. Bumbalough finished with 17 points, while shooting 5-for-9 from 3-point range. Cochran added a 15-point performance and collected eight rebounds. Jacobs notched 15 points and blocked one shot. Thomas tallied 14 points and tied for a game-high five assists, which is a career best, to go along with eight boards. Sellers posted an 11-point performance with four rebounds and an assist.
Sparks led the Cardinals with two double-doubles during the week. He was the only player in the MAC to record multiple double-doubles for the week, which came against the top-two teams in the conference. On the road against Ohio, Sparks recorded his fifth double-double of the season behind 13 points and 11 rebounds. He added two assists and a steal. Against Toledo, he posted his sixth double-double of the year. During the week, Sparks finished second in the MAC with 11.0 rebounds per game and tied for 11th with 3.0 assists per game.
Sparks is averaging 12.8 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game, both lead the team. Cochran is second on the team with 12.2 points a contest and 5.5 rebounds per game. Bumbalough is averaging double figures with 11.5 points a game and leads the squad with 66 assists. Thomas rounds out the double-digit scorers with 11.0 points a contest. Sparks and Thomas are tied for the team lead in blocks with 10 each. Cochran has been a menace on the defensive end of the court and leads the team with 38 steals.
The Cardinals hold a 68-37 record against the Chippewas. Ball State has won the last two meetings against Central Michigan, including a 97-91 victory last season in Muncie. Ball State leads the series 42-7 in Muncie.
CMU is led by Kevin Miller who is averaging 11.0 points and has a team-best 75 assists. Cameron Healy is second on the team with 10.7 points per game. Ralph Bissainthe has averaged 10.7 points a contest and leads the Chippewas with 6.9 rebounds per game as well as blocks with 13. Oscar Lopez Jr. rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.0 points a contest. Brian Taylor is the only other player with double-digit blocks with 10.
All of BSU's games are presented on the Ball State Gainbridge Radio Network on Woof Boom stations 96.7 FM, 102.9 FM, 104.9 FM, WLBC HD2, and the stream of 967BlakeFM.com as well as WERKFM.net.
Tale of the Tape
Cardinal fans join the movement inside Worthen Arena and enjoy three or more games at a special price! Starting at just $27 for three men's games and $21 for three women's games or mix and match! Click here for more details.
As a reminder to all fans, face coverings are required while inside Worthen Arena.
Follow the Cardinals
Twitter
Instagram
*For tickets call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
Last time out, the Cardinals had six players record double-digit points for the first time since 2018, as Ball State ended Toledo's nine-game winning streak behind a 93-83 victory. Payton Sparks, Luke Bumbalough, Tyler Cochran, Demarius Jacobs, Miryne Thomas, and Jaylin Sellers all scored in double figures. Sparks led the way with 18 points and brought down a game-high 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season, which is second best in the MAC. Sparks dished out four assists. Bumbalough finished with 17 points, while shooting 5-for-9 from 3-point range. Cochran added a 15-point performance and collected eight rebounds. Jacobs notched 15 points and blocked one shot. Thomas tallied 14 points and tied for a game-high five assists, which is a career best, to go along with eight boards. Sellers posted an 11-point performance with four rebounds and an assist.
Sparks led the Cardinals with two double-doubles during the week. He was the only player in the MAC to record multiple double-doubles for the week, which came against the top-two teams in the conference. On the road against Ohio, Sparks recorded his fifth double-double of the season behind 13 points and 11 rebounds. He added two assists and a steal. Against Toledo, he posted his sixth double-double of the year. During the week, Sparks finished second in the MAC with 11.0 rebounds per game and tied for 11th with 3.0 assists per game.
Sparks is averaging 12.8 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game, both lead the team. Cochran is second on the team with 12.2 points a contest and 5.5 rebounds per game. Bumbalough is averaging double figures with 11.5 points a game and leads the squad with 66 assists. Thomas rounds out the double-digit scorers with 11.0 points a contest. Sparks and Thomas are tied for the team lead in blocks with 10 each. Cochran has been a menace on the defensive end of the court and leads the team with 38 steals.
The Cardinals hold a 68-37 record against the Chippewas. Ball State has won the last two meetings against Central Michigan, including a 97-91 victory last season in Muncie. Ball State leads the series 42-7 in Muncie.
CMU is led by Kevin Miller who is averaging 11.0 points and has a team-best 75 assists. Cameron Healy is second on the team with 10.7 points per game. Ralph Bissainthe has averaged 10.7 points a contest and leads the Chippewas with 6.9 rebounds per game as well as blocks with 13. Oscar Lopez Jr. rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.0 points a contest. Brian Taylor is the only other player with double-digit blocks with 10.
All of BSU's games are presented on the Ball State Gainbridge Radio Network on Woof Boom stations 96.7 FM, 102.9 FM, 104.9 FM, WLBC HD2, and the stream of 967BlakeFM.com as well as WERKFM.net.
Tale of the Tape
| BSU | Category | CMU |
| 74.9 | POINTS PER GAME | 64.5 |
| 76.8 | OPP. POINTS PER GAME | 79.0 |
| .450 | FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .407 |
| .450 | OPP. FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .470 |
| .367 | 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .361 |
| .359 | OPP. 3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE | .345 |
| .690 | FREE THROW PERCENTAGE | .666 |
| 35.1 | REBOUNDS PER GAME | 31.3 |
| -1.2 | REBOUNDING MARGIN | -7.5 |
| 13.2 | ASSISTS PER GAME | 11.2 |
| 13.9 | TURNOVERS PER GAME | 13.9 |
| -1.9 | TURNOVER MARGIN | -2.1 |
| 5.6 | STEALS PER GAME | 6.4 |
| 2.2 | BLOCKS PER GAME | 2.7 |
Cardinal fans join the movement inside Worthen Arena and enjoy three or more games at a special price! Starting at just $27 for three men's games and $21 for three women's games or mix and match! Click here for more details.
As a reminder to all fans, face coverings are required while inside Worthen Arena.
Follow the Cardinals
*For tickets call 1-888-BSU-TICKET or 765-285-1474, or click here.
Players Mentioned
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