Saturday, February 3
Kalamazoo, MI
1:00 p.m.
Ball State University
12-10,4-6MAC
77
at
67
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
8-14,5-5MAC
1
2
F
Ball St.
39
38
77
Western Mich.
22
45
67
Photo by: Josh Brunette
Stifling First Half Defense Leads Cardinals to Third Straight Road Win
February 03, 2024 | Men's Basketball
Ball State Limited Western Michigan to 22 Points in the Opening Period
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Ball State men's basketball team rode a season-best first half defensive performance to beat Western Michigan 77-67 on Saturday afternoon at University Arena.
The Cardinals (12-10, 4-6 MAC) got their third straight road win after limiting the Broncos (8-14, 5-5 MAC) to 22 points in the opening period to go into the break up 39-22. Ball State led by at least eight points for the balance of the second half.
Jalin Anderson posted a team-high 20 points along with six rebounds and five steals while making all four free throw attempts in the final two minutes when Western Michigan was trying for a comeback.
Leading 26-22 with just over four minutes to go in the opening period, the Cardinals closed the half on a 13-0 run highlighted by five points each from Anderson and Trent Middleton Jr. The 22 points were the fewest Ball State has allowed in a half to a Division I foe this season.
Basheer Jihad (18 points, eight rebounds), Middleton Jr. (13 points, six rebounds, three assists) and Mickey Pearson Jr. (11 points) joined Anderson in double figures scoring for the Cardinals, who have won 4 of 6 and improved to 3-0 in games played in the state of Michigan this season.
The visiting Cardinals forced 12 first half turnovers and scored 18 points off them. Ball State led the points off turnovers category 24-6 as they only had 7 giveaways to Western Michigan's 16.
The trio of Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro (21 points), JaVaughn Hannah (18) and Owen Lobsinger (17) scored every point for the Broncos but 11.
Ball State shot 48.0 percent (24-50) from the field including 38.1 percent (8-21) from beyond the arc while going 67.7 percent (21-31) at the free throw line. Western Michigan was limited to 43.9 percent (25-57) shooting and 33.3 percent (9-27) on 3-pointers.
The Cardinals are scheduled to host Ohio at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night in Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals (12-10, 4-6 MAC) got their third straight road win after limiting the Broncos (8-14, 5-5 MAC) to 22 points in the opening period to go into the break up 39-22. Ball State led by at least eight points for the balance of the second half.
Jalin Anderson posted a team-high 20 points along with six rebounds and five steals while making all four free throw attempts in the final two minutes when Western Michigan was trying for a comeback.
Leading 26-22 with just over four minutes to go in the opening period, the Cardinals closed the half on a 13-0 run highlighted by five points each from Anderson and Trent Middleton Jr. The 22 points were the fewest Ball State has allowed in a half to a Division I foe this season.
Basheer Jihad (18 points, eight rebounds), Middleton Jr. (13 points, six rebounds, three assists) and Mickey Pearson Jr. (11 points) joined Anderson in double figures scoring for the Cardinals, who have won 4 of 6 and improved to 3-0 in games played in the state of Michigan this season.
The visiting Cardinals forced 12 first half turnovers and scored 18 points off them. Ball State led the points off turnovers category 24-6 as they only had 7 giveaways to Western Michigan's 16.
The trio of Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro (21 points), JaVaughn Hannah (18) and Owen Lobsinger (17) scored every point for the Broncos but 11.
Ball State shot 48.0 percent (24-50) from the field including 38.1 percent (8-21) from beyond the arc while going 67.7 percent (21-31) at the free throw line. Western Michigan was limited to 43.9 percent (25-57) shooting and 33.3 percent (9-27) on 3-pointers.
The Cardinals are scheduled to host Ohio at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night in Worthen Arena.
Team Stats
BSU
WMU
FG%
.480
.439
3FG%
.381
.333
FT%
.677
.471
RB
27
40
TO
7
16
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballMen's Basketball // Armoni Zeigler
Wednesday, September 10
Men's Basketball // Armoni Zeigler - Heart of the Cardinal Podcast
Tuesday, September 09
Men's Basketball // Jai Anthoni Bearden
Wednesday, August 20
Men's Basketball // Jai Anthoni Bearden - Heart of the Cardinal Podcast
Wednesday, August 20