Saturday, February 15
Muncie, Ind.
2 PM
Ball State University
13-12,6-6MAC
89
vs
83
Northern Illinois
5-20,1-11MAC
1
2
OT 1
F
NIU
20
56
7
83
Ball St.
38
38
13
89
Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics
Cardinals Topple NIU in Overtime for Third Straight Win
February 15, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team won its second straight game in overtime and third overall when the Cardinals beat Northern Illinois 89-83 on Saturday afternoon at Worthen Arena.
The Cardinals improved their record to 13-12 (6-6 Mid-American Conference) with the decision over the Huskies (5-20, 1-11 MAC). Juanse Gorosito posted a season-best 24 points while making 5 of 8 3-pointers to help the hosts win their third in a row.
Ball State closed the first half on a 9-0 scoring run thanks to triples from Gorosito, Jeremiah Hernandez and Ethan Brittain-Watts to take a 38-20 lead into the break. The Cardinals led until the last seconds of regulation when Northern's Quentin Jones hit two free throws to tie the score at 76-76 and send the game into an extra period.
Mickey Pearson Jr., scored five points in overtime and Jermahri Hill four to push Ball State over the top. Pearson Jr., went for 15 points and five rebounds overall, while Hill tallied 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Gorosito added a career-high seven rebounds along with two steals and an assist. Hernandez finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Brittain-Watts went for 13 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Cardinals.
Ball State outrebounded NIU 40-36 and committed three fewer turnovers (12-9). The hosts shot 42.6 percent (23-54) from the field including 39.1 percent (9-23) from distance and 68 percent (34-50) on free throws. Both the makes and attempts were the most this season for the team that gets to the free throw line more than any other in the conference.
Jones put up 21 points and nine rebounds for the Huskies, but they were limited to 41.3 percent (26-63) shooting and 36.1 percent (13-36) on 3-pointers to be hit with the loss.
Ball State is set to travel to play at Toledo at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in its first road game in two weeks.
The Cardinals improved their record to 13-12 (6-6 Mid-American Conference) with the decision over the Huskies (5-20, 1-11 MAC). Juanse Gorosito posted a season-best 24 points while making 5 of 8 3-pointers to help the hosts win their third in a row.
Ball State closed the first half on a 9-0 scoring run thanks to triples from Gorosito, Jeremiah Hernandez and Ethan Brittain-Watts to take a 38-20 lead into the break. The Cardinals led until the last seconds of regulation when Northern's Quentin Jones hit two free throws to tie the score at 76-76 and send the game into an extra period.
Mickey Pearson Jr., scored five points in overtime and Jermahri Hill four to push Ball State over the top. Pearson Jr., went for 15 points and five rebounds overall, while Hill tallied 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Gorosito added a career-high seven rebounds along with two steals and an assist. Hernandez finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Brittain-Watts went for 13 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Cardinals.
Ball State outrebounded NIU 40-36 and committed three fewer turnovers (12-9). The hosts shot 42.6 percent (23-54) from the field including 39.1 percent (9-23) from distance and 68 percent (34-50) on free throws. Both the makes and attempts were the most this season for the team that gets to the free throw line more than any other in the conference.
Jones put up 21 points and nine rebounds for the Huskies, but they were limited to 41.3 percent (26-63) shooting and 36.1 percent (13-36) on 3-pointers to be hit with the loss.
Ball State is set to travel to play at Toledo at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in its first road game in two weeks.
Team Stats
NIU
BSU
FG%
.413
.426
3FG%
.361
.391
FT%
.857
.680
RB
36
40
TO
12
9
STL
2
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
5
Pts
15
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
10
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
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