Tuesday, January 28
Muncie, Ind.
7 PM
Ball State University
9-11,3-5MAC
71
vs
74
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Western Michigan
6-14,3-5MAC
1
2
F
Western Mich.
41
33
74
Ball St.
36
35
71
Photo by: Heather Parker
Men's Basketball Falls to Western Michigan
January 28, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team got 19 points and 17 rebounds from Payton Sparks but fell 74-71 to Western Michigan on Tuesday night at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals (9-11, 3-5 Mid-American Conference) went back-and-forth early with the Broncos (6-14, 3-5 MAC) before Western used a 7-0 run to take a 22-14 edge at the 9:09 mark of the first half. Ball State chipped away at the deficit to tie the score at 36-36, but the visitors scored the final five points of the first period to claim a 41-36 halftime advantage.
A Jermahri Hill dunk with 6:18 to play cut the Broncos' lead to 63-62, and Sparks hit a free throw at the 5:39 mark to make it 64-63, but the Cardinals couldn't tie or take the lead. Western Michigan successfully defended a Ball State out of bounds play with 0.4 seconds left to seal the road win.
Sparks added three blocks, an assist and a steal on the night, while Hill tied him with a game-best 19 points along with six rebounds and four assists. Juanse Gorosito added 10 points, and Mickey Pearson Jr. had nine.
Western Michigan had two players with 17 points and one with 16 as the visitors shot 48.3 percent (28-58) from the field, 42.9 percent (6-14) on 3-pointers and 70.6 percent (12-17) at the foul line. Ball State went 43.9 percent (25-57) on field goals including 28.6 percent (6-21) from distance and 62.5 percent (15-24) on free throws.
The battle of the boards went to the Cardinals (39-32), but the hosts committed more turnovers (13-8). Western held a 16-8 edge in points off turnovers.
Ball State's next game is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday at Buffalo.
The Cardinals (9-11, 3-5 Mid-American Conference) went back-and-forth early with the Broncos (6-14, 3-5 MAC) before Western used a 7-0 run to take a 22-14 edge at the 9:09 mark of the first half. Ball State chipped away at the deficit to tie the score at 36-36, but the visitors scored the final five points of the first period to claim a 41-36 halftime advantage.
A Jermahri Hill dunk with 6:18 to play cut the Broncos' lead to 63-62, and Sparks hit a free throw at the 5:39 mark to make it 64-63, but the Cardinals couldn't tie or take the lead. Western Michigan successfully defended a Ball State out of bounds play with 0.4 seconds left to seal the road win.
Sparks added three blocks, an assist and a steal on the night, while Hill tied him with a game-best 19 points along with six rebounds and four assists. Juanse Gorosito added 10 points, and Mickey Pearson Jr. had nine.
Western Michigan had two players with 17 points and one with 16 as the visitors shot 48.3 percent (28-58) from the field, 42.9 percent (6-14) on 3-pointers and 70.6 percent (12-17) at the foul line. Ball State went 43.9 percent (25-57) on field goals including 28.6 percent (6-21) from distance and 62.5 percent (15-24) on free throws.
The battle of the boards went to the Cardinals (39-32), but the hosts committed more turnovers (13-8). Western held a 16-8 edge in points off turnovers.
Ball State's next game is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday at Buffalo.
Team Stats
WMU
BSU
FG%
.483
.439
3FG%
.429
.286
FT%
.706
.625
RB
32
39
TO
8
13
STL
5
1
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
19
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
9
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
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