Ball State University Athletics
Friday, November 7
Muncie, Ind.
7 PM
Ball State University
2-0,0-0MAC
84
vs
54
Mansfield (PA)
0-0,0-0PSAC
1
2
F
Mansfield
28
26
54
Ball St.
32
52
84
Photo by: Heather Parker
Cardinals Top Mansfield 84-54 for Second Straight Win to Start Season
November 07, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team scored 36 of the game's final 44 points to cruise to an 84-54 win over Mansfield on Friday night at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals (2-0) closed strong for the second straight game after also doing so in Monday's win over Louisiana.
Leading 48-46 with 11:57 to play in the game, Ball State clamped down on defense and got the offense going to dominate the final 12 minutes of the contest. Davion Hill's fast break layup with 8:49 on the clock gave the Cardinals a double-digit lead at 58-48, and they would cruise from there.
Junior Armoni Zeigler paced the hosts with 20 points, nine rebounds and five steals while going 8-for-11 from the field and 4 of 4 at the free throw line. Hill followed with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Hill's brother David is a guard for the Mountaineers who scored two points in the game.
Joining Zeigler and Hill in double figures for the Cardinals were Elmore James IV (11 points), Cam Denson (10 points, six rebounds) and Devon Barnes (10 points). Kayden Fish chipped in seven points, while Juwan Maxey tallied four points, four rebounds and three assists.
A trio of Ball State student-athletes made their collegiate debuts, including Jai Anthoni Bearden and Easton Foster who both made field goals. Preston Copeland grabbed a pair of rebounds in five minutes of court time.
The hosts won the battle of the boards 42-33 and enjoyed a 50-28 advantage in points in the paint. Ball State committed fewer turnovers (21-13) than Mansfield and also had more points off turnovers (25-11), fast break points (19-6) and bench points (29-10) on the night.
The Cardinals shot 50.8 percent (32-63) from the field, 26.1 percent (6-23) on 3-pointers and 51.9 percent (14-27) at the charity stripe. The Mountaineers were limited to 37.7 percent (20-53) on field goals including 11.1 percent (2-18) from distance.
Ball State will next play Wisconsin on Tuesday night for its first road game of the regular season. The Badgers are ranked No. 24 in the preseason AP poll.
The Cardinals (2-0) closed strong for the second straight game after also doing so in Monday's win over Louisiana.
Leading 48-46 with 11:57 to play in the game, Ball State clamped down on defense and got the offense going to dominate the final 12 minutes of the contest. Davion Hill's fast break layup with 8:49 on the clock gave the Cardinals a double-digit lead at 58-48, and they would cruise from there.
Junior Armoni Zeigler paced the hosts with 20 points, nine rebounds and five steals while going 8-for-11 from the field and 4 of 4 at the free throw line. Hill followed with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Hill's brother David is a guard for the Mountaineers who scored two points in the game.
Joining Zeigler and Hill in double figures for the Cardinals were Elmore James IV (11 points), Cam Denson (10 points, six rebounds) and Devon Barnes (10 points). Kayden Fish chipped in seven points, while Juwan Maxey tallied four points, four rebounds and three assists.
A trio of Ball State student-athletes made their collegiate debuts, including Jai Anthoni Bearden and Easton Foster who both made field goals. Preston Copeland grabbed a pair of rebounds in five minutes of court time.
The hosts won the battle of the boards 42-33 and enjoyed a 50-28 advantage in points in the paint. Ball State committed fewer turnovers (21-13) than Mansfield and also had more points off turnovers (25-11), fast break points (19-6) and bench points (29-10) on the night.
The Cardinals shot 50.8 percent (32-63) from the field, 26.1 percent (6-23) on 3-pointers and 51.9 percent (14-27) at the charity stripe. The Mountaineers were limited to 37.7 percent (20-53) on field goals including 11.1 percent (2-18) from distance.
Ball State will next play Wisconsin on Tuesday night for its first road game of the regular season. The Badgers are ranked No. 24 in the preseason AP poll.
Team Stats
MUP
BSU
FG%
.377
.508
3FG%
.111
.261
FT%
.545
.519
RB
33
42
TO
21
13
STL
9
11
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
F
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F
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/ Men's Basketball
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G
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