Saturday, February 1
Buffalo, N.Y.
5 PM
Ball State University
10-11,4-5MAC
89
at
76
Buffalo
7-14,2-7MAC
1
2
F
Ball St.
45
44
89
Buffalo
32
44
76
Photo by: Buffalo Athletics
Sparks has Career Night in Ball State's 89-76 Win at Buffalo
February 01, 2025 | Men's Basketball
Cardinals Score 30 of Final 37 Points in the First Half
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Payton Sparks went for a career-best 27 points and the Ball State men's basketball team scored 30 of the final 37 points of the first half on its way to an 89-76 win over Buffalo on Saturday at Alumni Arena.
The Cardinals (10-11, 4-5 Mid-American Conference) trailed 25-15 at the 9:05 mark of the first half but used a 12-2 rally to tie the score at 27-27 following a layup from Sparks. Following a 3-pointer by Buffalo (7-14, 2-7 MAC), Ball State scored 11 straight points to take a 38-30 edge with just over two minutes on the clock. Jermahri Hill scored six points for the Cardinals during that stretch.
Sparks put up 18 points and eight rebounds in the opening period as the Cardinals took a 45-32 lead into the break. The Bulls would get no closer than seven points for the balance of the second half.
In addition to the career-high in scoring, Sparks pulled down 14 rebounds for a Ball State team that held a 45-37 edge on the glass and 30-8 advantage in second chance points. Mickey Pearson Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds for the visitors, while Hill put up 18 points and five rebounds.
Ethan Brittain-Watts contributed 10 points, four rebounds and four assists on his birthday. Joey Hart scored all eight of his points in the second half, and Jeremiah Hernandez (four points, four assists) and Ben Hendriks (three points) were also in the scoring column.
Ball State shot 46 percent (29-63) from the field, 35.3 percent (6-17) from distance and 71.4 percent (25-35) at the foul line. Buffalo was limited to 38.5 percent (25-65) shooting including 20.5 percent (8-39) on 3-pointers but made 94.7 percent (18-19) of its free throw attempts.
The Cardinals committed fewer turnovers (10-9) than the Bulls and scored more points off them (14-13). Ball State controlled the interior to the tune of a 44-30 lead in points in the paint.
Next up for the Cardinals is a contest at Akron on Tuesday night that will conclude a four games on the road in five games stretch.
The Cardinals (10-11, 4-5 Mid-American Conference) trailed 25-15 at the 9:05 mark of the first half but used a 12-2 rally to tie the score at 27-27 following a layup from Sparks. Following a 3-pointer by Buffalo (7-14, 2-7 MAC), Ball State scored 11 straight points to take a 38-30 edge with just over two minutes on the clock. Jermahri Hill scored six points for the Cardinals during that stretch.
Sparks put up 18 points and eight rebounds in the opening period as the Cardinals took a 45-32 lead into the break. The Bulls would get no closer than seven points for the balance of the second half.
In addition to the career-high in scoring, Sparks pulled down 14 rebounds for a Ball State team that held a 45-37 edge on the glass and 30-8 advantage in second chance points. Mickey Pearson Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds for the visitors, while Hill put up 18 points and five rebounds.
Ethan Brittain-Watts contributed 10 points, four rebounds and four assists on his birthday. Joey Hart scored all eight of his points in the second half, and Jeremiah Hernandez (four points, four assists) and Ben Hendriks (three points) were also in the scoring column.
Ball State shot 46 percent (29-63) from the field, 35.3 percent (6-17) from distance and 71.4 percent (25-35) at the foul line. Buffalo was limited to 38.5 percent (25-65) shooting including 20.5 percent (8-39) on 3-pointers but made 94.7 percent (18-19) of its free throw attempts.
The Cardinals committed fewer turnovers (10-9) than the Bulls and scored more points off them (14-13). Ball State controlled the interior to the tune of a 44-30 lead in points in the paint.
Next up for the Cardinals is a contest at Akron on Tuesday night that will conclude a four games on the road in five games stretch.
Team Stats
BSU
UB
FG%
.460
.385
3FG%
.353
.205
FT%
.714
.947
RB
45
37
TO
9
10
STL
4
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
27
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballC
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