Saturday, January 18
Muncie, Ind.
2 PM
Ball State University
75
vs
93
Toledo
Photo by: Amber Pietz, Ball State Creative Services
Men's Basketball Falls to Toledo at Home
January 18, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team couldn't overcome an efficient Toledo offense in a 93-75 win for the Rockets on Saturday afternoon at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals (8-9, 2-3 Mid-American Conference) got 20 points and nine rebounds from Payton Sparks and shot 53.7 percent (29-54) from the field, but the visiting Rockets (10-7, 4-1 MAC) controlled the glass in the second half and pulled away after leading 44-40 at halftime.
Jermahri Hill (17 points, six assists, four rebounds), Ethan Brittain-Watts (12 points), Mickey Pearson Jr. (12 points, two blocks) and Juanse Gorosito (10 points, two assists, two steals) joined Sparks in double figures for the hosts, who had at least five score in double digits for the second straight home game.
The visitors had five with at least 12 points, led by 21 from Sam Lewis. Toledo went 53.7 percent (36-67) from the field including 37.5 percent (6-16) on 3-pointers while making 88.2 percent (15-17) of its free throw attempts.
Ball State went 25 percent (4-16) on triples and 61.9 percent (13-21) at the foul line.
The Cardinals cut the deficit to two points on two occasions early in the second half, but Toledo steadily built its advantage to as many as 19 points with the help of a 22-6 margin in rebounding in the second period. Neither team scored more than six straight points in the game.
The Rockets held a 37-26 edge in boards and 26-7 in second chance points for the game. Ball State committed two more turnovers (7-5).
Up next for the Cardinals is a road game at Central Michigan at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Cardinals (8-9, 2-3 Mid-American Conference) got 20 points and nine rebounds from Payton Sparks and shot 53.7 percent (29-54) from the field, but the visiting Rockets (10-7, 4-1 MAC) controlled the glass in the second half and pulled away after leading 44-40 at halftime.
Jermahri Hill (17 points, six assists, four rebounds), Ethan Brittain-Watts (12 points), Mickey Pearson Jr. (12 points, two blocks) and Juanse Gorosito (10 points, two assists, two steals) joined Sparks in double figures for the hosts, who had at least five score in double digits for the second straight home game.
The visitors had five with at least 12 points, led by 21 from Sam Lewis. Toledo went 53.7 percent (36-67) from the field including 37.5 percent (6-16) on 3-pointers while making 88.2 percent (15-17) of its free throw attempts.
Ball State went 25 percent (4-16) on triples and 61.9 percent (13-21) at the foul line.
The Cardinals cut the deficit to two points on two occasions early in the second half, but Toledo steadily built its advantage to as many as 19 points with the help of a 22-6 margin in rebounding in the second period. Neither team scored more than six straight points in the game.
The Rockets held a 37-26 edge in boards and 26-7 in second chance points for the game. Ball State committed two more turnovers (7-5).
Up next for the Cardinals is a road game at Central Michigan at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
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