Tuesday, February 11
Muncie, Ind.
7 PM
Ball State University
12-12,5-6MAC
86
vs
84
Eastern Michigan
11-13,4-7MAC
1
2
OT 1
F
Eastern Mich.
33
42
9
84
Ball St.
40
35
11
86
Photo by: Heather Parker
Hill's Two-Hand Dunk in Closing Seconds Leads Cardinals to Overtime Win over EMU
February 11, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Jermahri Hill went coast-to-coast and slammed a game-winning two-hand dunk in Ball State 86-84 overtime win over Eastern Michigan on Tuesday night at Worthen Arena.
Mickey Pearson Jr., hit two free throws to tie the score at 84-84 with 38 seconds to play, and the Cardinals (12-12, 5-6 Mid-American Conference) forced the Eagles (11-13, 4-7 MAC) into a turnover with 8.8 seconds on the clock. Hill took the inbounds pass and drove down the left side of the lane before elevating for the slam with 2.8 seconds to play. Eastern's shot from the right wing fell short as the buzzer sounded before the Cardinals rushed the court to celebrate.
Payton Sparks hit a free throw with 12 seconds left in regulation and the Cardinals got a stop to send the game into overtime tied 75-75. Ball State led 40-33 at halftime in a game that featured 16 lead changes and 11 ties. A total of 14 lead changes and nine ties occurred in the second half and overtime.
Hill paced the Cardinals with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Sparks went for 19 points and three rebounds. Jeremiah Hernandez tallied 18 points, including the 1,000th of his career early in the second half.
Pearson Jr., added 12 points and Ethan Brittain-Watts eight for a Ball State offense that shot 51.9 percent (27-52) from the field and 89.3 percent (25-28) at the foul line. The Cardinals made each of their first 14 free throw attempts.
The game was Ball State's first contest that went into an extra period since March 2, 2024 against Western Michigan. The most recent overtime win for the Cardinals was also against Eastern Michigan (91-90 on Feb. 3, 2023).
Eastern Michigan got 25 points from Jalen Terry but was limited to 2-for-5 shooting in the extra period. The Eagles shot 55.9 percent (33-59) from the field, 29.4 percent (5-17) on 3-pointers and 76.5 percent (13-17) at the charity stripe.
Hernandez led a Ball State bench that outscored Eastern's 23-13, while the visitors held slight advantages in rebounding (25-24) and turnovers (15-12).
The Cardinals are set to conclude a three-game homestand against Northern Illinois on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Mickey Pearson Jr., hit two free throws to tie the score at 84-84 with 38 seconds to play, and the Cardinals (12-12, 5-6 Mid-American Conference) forced the Eagles (11-13, 4-7 MAC) into a turnover with 8.8 seconds on the clock. Hill took the inbounds pass and drove down the left side of the lane before elevating for the slam with 2.8 seconds to play. Eastern's shot from the right wing fell short as the buzzer sounded before the Cardinals rushed the court to celebrate.
Payton Sparks hit a free throw with 12 seconds left in regulation and the Cardinals got a stop to send the game into overtime tied 75-75. Ball State led 40-33 at halftime in a game that featured 16 lead changes and 11 ties. A total of 14 lead changes and nine ties occurred in the second half and overtime.
Hill paced the Cardinals with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Sparks went for 19 points and three rebounds. Jeremiah Hernandez tallied 18 points, including the 1,000th of his career early in the second half.
Pearson Jr., added 12 points and Ethan Brittain-Watts eight for a Ball State offense that shot 51.9 percent (27-52) from the field and 89.3 percent (25-28) at the foul line. The Cardinals made each of their first 14 free throw attempts.
The game was Ball State's first contest that went into an extra period since March 2, 2024 against Western Michigan. The most recent overtime win for the Cardinals was also against Eastern Michigan (91-90 on Feb. 3, 2023).
Eastern Michigan got 25 points from Jalen Terry but was limited to 2-for-5 shooting in the extra period. The Eagles shot 55.9 percent (33-59) from the field, 29.4 percent (5-17) on 3-pointers and 76.5 percent (13-17) at the charity stripe.
Hernandez led a Ball State bench that outscored Eastern's 23-13, while the visitors held slight advantages in rebounding (25-24) and turnovers (15-12).
The Cardinals are set to conclude a three-game homestand against Northern Illinois on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Team Stats
EMU
BSU
FG%
.559
.519
3FG%
.294
.350
FT%
.765
.893
RB
25
24
TO
12
15
STL
9
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
19
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
9
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
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