Tuesday, January 17
Muncie, Ind.
7 p.m.
Ball State University
13-5,4-1MAC
71
vs
70
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Western Michigan
6-12,2-3MAC
1
2
F
Western Mich.
29
41
70
Ball St.
31
40
71
Coleman's behind the back pass for the Sellers slam
Photo by: Chad Smith
Defense Stand Secures Thrilling Victory Over Broncos
January 17, 2023 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team was back in the friendly confines of Worthen Arena for a Mid-American Conference showdown with Western Michigan. Jarron Coleman led the way with 22 points as the Cardinals knocked off the Broncos, 71-70, on Tuesday.
For the first time since the 2010-11 season, Ball State has started a campaign with a 13-5 record. The Cardinals improved to 13-5 and 4-1 in the MAC, while the Broncos fell to 6-12 overall and 2-3 in conference action.
"Thank you to the crowd," said Head Coach Michael Lewis. "They played a huge role tonight with their energy, their noise. I love it. The students were fantastic. We're going to try and play hard, compete, and put a product out there that the fans appreciate. They have to know how much we appreciate them coming out and supporting the team. There's a lot of excitement going on, it's our job to keep it rolling. That was a tough game. I thought Western Michigan competed really hard and were well prepared. Norman got going and is as advertised. Defensively late, we got some big stops and really competed. That last possession, keeping the ball out of Norman's hands was huge. You have to be able to win games when you don't play your best. You have to be able to protect your home court."
Coleman has scored double digits in 16 of the 18 games this season after his 22-point effort. He added a game-high seven assists, a game-high four steals, tied for a team-high eight rebounds, and did not have any turnovers. Payton Sparks dropped 14 points with eight rebounds and one block. Demarius Jacobs recorded 10 points, three assists, one block, and one steal. Basheer Jihad also tied for a team-high eight rebounds.
The game started out hot for both teams as neither squad missed a shot in the first 2:43 of play. The Cardinals stretched things out a little bit with a 10-2 run as they claimed a 16-8 lead with 13:27 left in the opening stanza.
The Broncos responded with a 12-2 run that lasted 4:08 and took a 20-18 lead with 9:19 left until the break. Ball State ended the first half on a 13-9 run, capped off by an amazing corner 3-pointer by Coleman. BSU took a 31-29 lead into intermission.
WMU came out swinging in the second half and opened on a 7-3 run. Coleman knocked down a jumper, was fouled, and converted the and-1 opportunity to give the Cardinals a 37-36 lead with 16:49 left in regulation. Sparks came down with an offensive rebound that led to a fastbreak. Coleman made a phenomenal behind the back pass for Jaylin Sellers who slammed it home.
Lamar Norman Jr. got hot and knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to give WMU a 42-41 lead with 14:46 on the clock. It was a back-and-forth battle for the next 4:23 of game time that saw four lead changes and two ties. The contest was tied at 52-52 with 9:39 left in regulation.
After the Broncos hit a 3-pointer, the Cardinals responded with a 10-0 run that put BSU up 62-55. WMU was able to climb back thanks to an 11-4 run, which knotted the game up at 66-66 with 2:20 left to play.
The Broncos managed to take a 70-68 lead with 49 seconds left to play. Mickey Pearson Jr. cut towards the basket and received a great pass from Coleman. Pearson went up for the driving layup, made it, and was fouled. He had ice in his veins and converted the and-1 opportunity to put Ball State up 71-70 with 35 second on the clock.
The Cardinals picked up the defensive intensity and was stout as it prevented the Broncos from recording the go-ahead basket.
Ball State dominated in the paint and outscored Western Michigan 42-20. BSU also utilized a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
As a team, WMU was able to shoot a perfect 17-of-17 from the free-throw line. Norman produced a game-high 31 points and added six rebounds with four assists. Markeese Hastings finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Titus Wright had a game-high 11 rebounds.
Ball State is back in action on Friday, Jan. 20, for a showdown with Kent State on CBS Sports Network. Tip is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
For general and season ticket information, please click here or call 1-888-BSU-TICKET (756-285-1474).
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For the first time since the 2010-11 season, Ball State has started a campaign with a 13-5 record. The Cardinals improved to 13-5 and 4-1 in the MAC, while the Broncos fell to 6-12 overall and 2-3 in conference action.
"Thank you to the crowd," said Head Coach Michael Lewis. "They played a huge role tonight with their energy, their noise. I love it. The students were fantastic. We're going to try and play hard, compete, and put a product out there that the fans appreciate. They have to know how much we appreciate them coming out and supporting the team. There's a lot of excitement going on, it's our job to keep it rolling. That was a tough game. I thought Western Michigan competed really hard and were well prepared. Norman got going and is as advertised. Defensively late, we got some big stops and really competed. That last possession, keeping the ball out of Norman's hands was huge. You have to be able to win games when you don't play your best. You have to be able to protect your home court."
Coleman has scored double digits in 16 of the 18 games this season after his 22-point effort. He added a game-high seven assists, a game-high four steals, tied for a team-high eight rebounds, and did not have any turnovers. Payton Sparks dropped 14 points with eight rebounds and one block. Demarius Jacobs recorded 10 points, three assists, one block, and one steal. Basheer Jihad also tied for a team-high eight rebounds.
The game started out hot for both teams as neither squad missed a shot in the first 2:43 of play. The Cardinals stretched things out a little bit with a 10-2 run as they claimed a 16-8 lead with 13:27 left in the opening stanza.
The Broncos responded with a 12-2 run that lasted 4:08 and took a 20-18 lead with 9:19 left until the break. Ball State ended the first half on a 13-9 run, capped off by an amazing corner 3-pointer by Coleman. BSU took a 31-29 lead into intermission.
.@_Demariusjacobs finds @jarron_coleman in the corner for 3 as time runs down in the first half!!#ChirpChirp x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/UslcVlDs8g
— Ball State Men's Basketball (@BallStateMBB) January 18, 2023
WMU came out swinging in the second half and opened on a 7-3 run. Coleman knocked down a jumper, was fouled, and converted the and-1 opportunity to give the Cardinals a 37-36 lead with 16:49 left in regulation. Sparks came down with an offensive rebound that led to a fastbreak. Coleman made a phenomenal behind the back pass for Jaylin Sellers who slammed it home.
SELLERS IS HIM ??????@JaylinSellers #ChirpChirp x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/7PWQX1mLh7
— Ball State Men's Basketball (@BallStateMBB) January 18, 2023
Lamar Norman Jr. got hot and knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to give WMU a 42-41 lead with 14:46 on the clock. It was a back-and-forth battle for the next 4:23 of game time that saw four lead changes and two ties. The contest was tied at 52-52 with 9:39 left in regulation.
After the Broncos hit a 3-pointer, the Cardinals responded with a 10-0 run that put BSU up 62-55. WMU was able to climb back thanks to an 11-4 run, which knotted the game up at 66-66 with 2:20 left to play.
The Broncos managed to take a 70-68 lead with 49 seconds left to play. Mickey Pearson Jr. cut towards the basket and received a great pass from Coleman. Pearson went up for the driving layup, made it, and was fouled. He had ice in his veins and converted the and-1 opportunity to put Ball State up 71-70 with 35 second on the clock.
The Cardinals picked up the defensive intensity and was stout as it prevented the Broncos from recording the go-ahead basket.
Ball State dominated in the paint and outscored Western Michigan 42-20. BSU also utilized a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
As a team, WMU was able to shoot a perfect 17-of-17 from the free-throw line. Norman produced a game-high 31 points and added six rebounds with four assists. Markeese Hastings finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Titus Wright had a game-high 11 rebounds.
Ball State is back in action on Friday, Jan. 20, for a showdown with Kent State on CBS Sports Network. Tip is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
For general and season ticket information, please click here or call 1-888-BSU-TICKET (756-285-1474).
Follow the Cardinals
Team Stats
WMU
BSU
FG%
.386
.458
3FG%
.500
.267
FT%
1.000
.591
RB
40
34
TO
15
11
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballC
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