Saturday, February 22
Muncie, Ind.
2:30 PM
Ball State University
14-13,7-7MAC
80
vs
66
Buffalo
8-19,3-11MAC
1
2
F
Buffalo
36
30
66
Ball St.
41
39
80
Photo by: Amber Pietz, Ball State Creative Services
Men's Basketball Beats Buffalo 80-66 for Season Sweep
February 22, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – On a day the 1999-2000 Ball State men's basketball team was honored at halftime, the current Cardinals won 80-66 over Buffalo on Saturday afternoon at Worthen Arena.
Ball State (14-13, 7-7 MAC) led by as many as 14 points after a Payton Sparks putback put the hosts ahead 31-17 at the 8:48 mark of the first half. The Cardinals went into the break up 41-36 and would lead by at least three points the entirety of the second half.
Buffalo (8-19, 3-11 MAC) got within five points at 71-66 with 2:29 to play, but the Cardinals closed out the game scoring the final nine points of the contest to secure the victory.
Sparks had a game-high 18 points and added eight rebounds, while Mickey Pearson Jr., went for 14 points and seven boards. Jermahri Hill tallied a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double with four assists. Ben Hendriks made 6 of 8 field goals and both of his free throw attempts for a career-high 14 points in 11 minutes.
The visitors got 18 points from Kavon Bradford but were limited to 33.3 percent (10-30) shooting in the second half including 9.1 percent (1-11) from distance to suffer the loss.
Ball State shot 43.6 percent (24-55) on field goals, 46.2 percent (6-13) on 3-pointers and 72.2 percent (26-36) at the foul line for the game to win its fourth contest in five tries. The Cardinals held a 41-32 edge in rebounding and committed two fewer turnovers (14-12) than the Bulls. Ball State claimed a 17-2 advantage in second chance points.
Ball State completed the season sweep after taking down the Bulls 89-76 at Buffalo on Feb. 1.
Head coach Ray McCallum and 2000 MAC Tournament Champion Cardinals were honored at halftime in front a season-high crowd of 5,276 at Worthen.
Up next for Ball State is a home game with league-leading Akron at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Ball State (14-13, 7-7 MAC) led by as many as 14 points after a Payton Sparks putback put the hosts ahead 31-17 at the 8:48 mark of the first half. The Cardinals went into the break up 41-36 and would lead by at least three points the entirety of the second half.
Buffalo (8-19, 3-11 MAC) got within five points at 71-66 with 2:29 to play, but the Cardinals closed out the game scoring the final nine points of the contest to secure the victory.
Sparks had a game-high 18 points and added eight rebounds, while Mickey Pearson Jr., went for 14 points and seven boards. Jermahri Hill tallied a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double with four assists. Ben Hendriks made 6 of 8 field goals and both of his free throw attempts for a career-high 14 points in 11 minutes.
The visitors got 18 points from Kavon Bradford but were limited to 33.3 percent (10-30) shooting in the second half including 9.1 percent (1-11) from distance to suffer the loss.
Ball State shot 43.6 percent (24-55) on field goals, 46.2 percent (6-13) on 3-pointers and 72.2 percent (26-36) at the foul line for the game to win its fourth contest in five tries. The Cardinals held a 41-32 edge in rebounding and committed two fewer turnovers (14-12) than the Bulls. Ball State claimed a 17-2 advantage in second chance points.
Ball State completed the season sweep after taking down the Bulls 89-76 at Buffalo on Feb. 1.
Head coach Ray McCallum and 2000 MAC Tournament Champion Cardinals were honored at halftime in front a season-high crowd of 5,276 at Worthen.
Up next for Ball State is a home game with league-leading Akron at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Team Stats
UB
BSU
FG%
.400
.436
3FG%
.174
.462
FT%
.692
.722
RB
32
41
TO
14
12
STL
4
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
14
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
C
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballC
/ Men's BasketballThis Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Jeff Mitchell, Brady Sallee, and Michael Lewis
Thursday, September 25
Men's Basketball // Armoni Zeigler
Wednesday, September 10
Men's Basketball // Armoni Zeigler - Heart of the Cardinal Podcast
Tuesday, September 09
Men's Basketball // Jai Anthoni Bearden
Wednesday, August 20