Tuesday, December 31
Muncie, Ind.
2 PM
Ball State University
6-6,0-0MAC
89
vs
76
Anderson
8-3,3-1HCAC
1
2
F
Anderson (IN)
43
33
76
Ball St.
39
50
89
Photo by: Collin Phillips/Ball State Athletics
Sparks Scores 1,000th Career Point in New Year's Eve Win over Anderson
December 31, 2024 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Payton Sparks went for 23 points and 16 rebounds, scoring his 1,000th career point in the process, to lead the Ball State men's basketball team to an 89-76 win over Anderson on Tuesday afternoon at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals (6-6) got out to an 8-0 lead thanks to a 3-pointer and dunk from Mason Jones and a triple by Jeremiah Hernandez, but the visiting Ravens came back to take a 43-39 advantage into halftime. Sparks hit a 3-pointer at the top of the key at the buzzer for the final tally of the half.
The hosts scored 21 of the first 30 points of the second half to gain a 60-52 edge at the 13:02 mark, but Anderson kept within single digits until the final minute. Sparks scored 14 of his points and grabbed eight of his rebounds in the second period, including a putback with 4:26 left that gave the senior career point No. 1,000.
Jermahri Hill went for a game-high 25 points highlighted by 3-for-5 shooting from distance and 12-for-14 at the free throw line while adding eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Hernandez (12 points, five assists) also had double figures, and Mason Jones (11 rebounds, five points, four assists, two steals) set a career high in boards while playing 33 minutes.
Juanse Gorosito tallied nine points and five assists, and Ben Hendriks had eight points and four rebounds to contribute to the New Year's Eve win.
Anderson's Tate Ivanyo led the Ravens with 21 points, but the visitors were limited to 30.6 percent shooting in the second half and 19 percent on 3-pointers to prevent them from getting a win in nearby Muncie.
The Cardinals won the rebounding battle 48-36 but committed more turnovers (16-13). The hosts still held an edge in points off turnovers (15-8) which related to a 13-4 advantage in fast break points.
For the game, Ball State shot 44.1 percent (26-59) from the field, 34.6 percent (9-26) on 3-pointers and 71.8 percent (28-39) at the foul line. Anderson totaled a 37.1 field goal percentage on 26 of 70 shooting including 28.6 percent (12-42) from distance and 70.6 percent (12-17) on free throws.
Ball State rides a three-game winning streak into Mid-American Conference play which begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday with a game at Kent State.
The Cardinals (6-6) got out to an 8-0 lead thanks to a 3-pointer and dunk from Mason Jones and a triple by Jeremiah Hernandez, but the visiting Ravens came back to take a 43-39 advantage into halftime. Sparks hit a 3-pointer at the top of the key at the buzzer for the final tally of the half.
The hosts scored 21 of the first 30 points of the second half to gain a 60-52 edge at the 13:02 mark, but Anderson kept within single digits until the final minute. Sparks scored 14 of his points and grabbed eight of his rebounds in the second period, including a putback with 4:26 left that gave the senior career point No. 1,000.
Jermahri Hill went for a game-high 25 points highlighted by 3-for-5 shooting from distance and 12-for-14 at the free throw line while adding eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Hernandez (12 points, five assists) also had double figures, and Mason Jones (11 rebounds, five points, four assists, two steals) set a career high in boards while playing 33 minutes.
Juanse Gorosito tallied nine points and five assists, and Ben Hendriks had eight points and four rebounds to contribute to the New Year's Eve win.
Anderson's Tate Ivanyo led the Ravens with 21 points, but the visitors were limited to 30.6 percent shooting in the second half and 19 percent on 3-pointers to prevent them from getting a win in nearby Muncie.
The Cardinals won the rebounding battle 48-36 but committed more turnovers (16-13). The hosts still held an edge in points off turnovers (15-8) which related to a 13-4 advantage in fast break points.
For the game, Ball State shot 44.1 percent (26-59) from the field, 34.6 percent (9-26) on 3-pointers and 71.8 percent (28-39) at the foul line. Anderson totaled a 37.1 field goal percentage on 26 of 70 shooting including 28.6 percent (12-42) from distance and 70.6 percent (12-17) on free throws.
Ball State rides a three-game winning streak into Mid-American Conference play which begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday with a game at Kent State.
Team Stats
AU
BSU
FG%
.371
.441
3FG%
.286
.346
FT%
.706
.718
RB
36
48
TO
13
16
STL
9
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
12
Pts
23
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballC
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