Ball State University Athletics
Saturday, December 20
Muncie, Ind.
2 PM
Ball State University
3-9,0-1MAC
77
vs
86
Miami (OH)
12-0,1-0MAC
1
2
F
Miami (OH)
40
46
86
Ball St.
36
41
77
Photo by: Samantha (Blankenship) Ellis/Ball State University
Men's Basketball Can't Complete Comeback in Final Minutes vs Unbeaten Miami
December 20, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team had multiple possessions to tie or take the lead in the final 10 minutes against undefeated Miami but couldn't fully close the gap and fell 86-77 on Saturday afternoon at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals trailed 54-43 with 13:51 to play but went on a 13-4 scoring run thanks to six points from Elmore James IV, four from Armoni Zeigler and a 3-pointer by Kayden Fish to get the hosts within two points at 58-56. After the RedHawks (12-0, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) hit two free throws, James made another shot to get within two again at the 9:22 mark.
Fish scored at the 6:57 mark to make Ball State's deficit 65-62, but the visitors went on a 6-0 run and would hold at least a six-point advantage for the remainder of the contest.
James went for a team high 20 points, while Davion Hill (13 points), Devon Barnes (10 points, four assists) and Fish (10 points) also scored in double figures for Ball State (3-9, 0-1 MAC). Zeigler chipped in seven points and eight rebounds, while Juwan Maxey tallied seven points and Mason Jones six.
Ball State controlled the opening stages of the game and built a lead that peaked at six points on two occasions midway through the first half following field goals from Maxey and Hill. The RedHawks responded and closed the opening period with a 40-36 edge.
Almar Atlason posted a game-best 26 points and added four rebounds, while Eian Elmer tallied 20 points and seven boards for Miami, who entered Saturday's contest receiving votes in the latest AP poll.
The RedHawks won the rebounding battle 33-24 but committed more turnovers (14-7). Ball State held advantages in points from turnovers (21-11), in the paint (40-26), fast break (15-2) and bench points (48-30), but Miami shot efficiently from the field (50 percent; 26-52), on 3-pointers (54.2 percent; 13-24) and at the foul line (95.5 percent; 21-22) to take the road win.
Ball State made 49.1 percent (28-57) of its field goal attempts including 33.3 percent (7-21) from distance while hitting 77.8 percent (14-18) of its free throws on the afternoon.
The Cardinals take a break for Christmas before hosting Earlham on Monday, Dec. 29.
The Cardinals trailed 54-43 with 13:51 to play but went on a 13-4 scoring run thanks to six points from Elmore James IV, four from Armoni Zeigler and a 3-pointer by Kayden Fish to get the hosts within two points at 58-56. After the RedHawks (12-0, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) hit two free throws, James made another shot to get within two again at the 9:22 mark.
Fish scored at the 6:57 mark to make Ball State's deficit 65-62, but the visitors went on a 6-0 run and would hold at least a six-point advantage for the remainder of the contest.
James went for a team high 20 points, while Davion Hill (13 points), Devon Barnes (10 points, four assists) and Fish (10 points) also scored in double figures for Ball State (3-9, 0-1 MAC). Zeigler chipped in seven points and eight rebounds, while Juwan Maxey tallied seven points and Mason Jones six.
Ball State controlled the opening stages of the game and built a lead that peaked at six points on two occasions midway through the first half following field goals from Maxey and Hill. The RedHawks responded and closed the opening period with a 40-36 edge.
Almar Atlason posted a game-best 26 points and added four rebounds, while Eian Elmer tallied 20 points and seven boards for Miami, who entered Saturday's contest receiving votes in the latest AP poll.
The RedHawks won the rebounding battle 33-24 but committed more turnovers (14-7). Ball State held advantages in points from turnovers (21-11), in the paint (40-26), fast break (15-2) and bench points (48-30), but Miami shot efficiently from the field (50 percent; 26-52), on 3-pointers (54.2 percent; 13-24) and at the foul line (95.5 percent; 21-22) to take the road win.
Ball State made 49.1 percent (28-57) of its field goal attempts including 33.3 percent (7-21) from distance while hitting 77.8 percent (14-18) of its free throws on the afternoon.
The Cardinals take a break for Christmas before hosting Earlham on Monday, Dec. 29.
Team Stats
Miami
BSU
FG%
.500
.491
3FG%
.542
.333
FT%
.955
.778
RB
33
24
TO
14
7
STL
1
8
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
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