Saturday, January 6
Muncie, IN
2:00 p.m.
Ball State University
8-6,0-2MAC
65
vs
71
Central Michigan
6-8,1-1MAC
1
2
F
Central Mich.
31
40
71
Ball St.
29
36
65
Photo by: Samantha Blankenship / Ball State University
Men's Basketball Falls Late to Central Michigan
January 06, 2024 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team had a pair of opportunities late to knot the score, but Central Michigan won 71-65 on Saturday afternoon at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals (8-6, 0-2 MAC) trailed by as many as 10 points at 48-38 at the 11:09 mark of the second half to the Chippewas (6-8, 1-1 MAC) but slowly cut the deficit, trailing 67-64 after a Davion Bailey layup with 2:22 to play. A later free throw from Basheer Jihad made it 67-65 in favor of Central Michigan. Down two, the Cardinals had possession in the final 30 seconds, but a couple of turnovers allowed the visitors to take the decision.
Bailey tallied season bests in points (21) and rebounds (five), while Jihad went for his fifth double-double so far with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jalin Anderson (11 points, four assists) and Mickey Pearson Jr. (10 points) also scored in double figures for the hosts.
Trailing 31-29 at the break, Ball State got two quick field goals from Jihad to regain the lead, but Central Michigan went on a 17-5 scoring run to take control.
The Chippewas earned the edge in the rebounding (31-29) and turnover (13-9) categories, while their bench scored 25 points to the Cardinals' 2 for their first conference win.
Central Michigan shot 43.6 percent (24-55) from the field and 39.1 percent (9-23) on 3-pointers, as Ball State went 41.5 percent (17-41) and 25.0 percent (6-24) from distance. The Cardinals made 25 of their 31 free throws (80.6 percent).
Ball State hosts Akron at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in its second of back-to-back home games.
The Cardinals (8-6, 0-2 MAC) trailed by as many as 10 points at 48-38 at the 11:09 mark of the second half to the Chippewas (6-8, 1-1 MAC) but slowly cut the deficit, trailing 67-64 after a Davion Bailey layup with 2:22 to play. A later free throw from Basheer Jihad made it 67-65 in favor of Central Michigan. Down two, the Cardinals had possession in the final 30 seconds, but a couple of turnovers allowed the visitors to take the decision.
Bailey tallied season bests in points (21) and rebounds (five), while Jihad went for his fifth double-double so far with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jalin Anderson (11 points, four assists) and Mickey Pearson Jr. (10 points) also scored in double figures for the hosts.
Trailing 31-29 at the break, Ball State got two quick field goals from Jihad to regain the lead, but Central Michigan went on a 17-5 scoring run to take control.
The Chippewas earned the edge in the rebounding (31-29) and turnover (13-9) categories, while their bench scored 25 points to the Cardinals' 2 for their first conference win.
Central Michigan shot 43.6 percent (24-55) from the field and 39.1 percent (9-23) on 3-pointers, as Ball State went 41.5 percent (17-41) and 25.0 percent (6-24) from distance. The Cardinals made 25 of their 31 free throws (80.6 percent).
Ball State hosts Akron at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in its second of back-to-back home games.
Team Stats
CMU
BSU
FG%
.436
.415
3FG%
.391
.250
FT%
.824
.806
RB
31
29
TO
9
13
STL
7
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
0
3FGM
0
FTM
10
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
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