Tuesday, February 25
Muncie, Ind.
7 PM
Ball State University
14-14,7-8MAC
82
vs
87
Akron
22-6,14-1MAC
1
2
F
Akron
47
40
87
Ball St.
39
43
82
Photo by: Mya Cataline, Ball State Athletics
Late Comeback Attempts Falls Short for Men's Basketball Against Akron
February 25, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team fell 87-82 to league-leading Akron after a late comeback attempt fell short on Tuesday night at Worthen Arena in a game presented by Ivy Tech Community College.
The Cardinals (14-14, 7-8 Mid-American Conference) trailed 47-39 at halftime and 82-70 with just over five minutes to play before going on a 12-3 scoring run capped off by a layup from Payton Sparks in the closing seconds to get within three points at 85-82. Akron's Tavari Johnson, who had a team-best 21 points, clinched the game for the visitors with two free throws for the day's final scoring.
Ball State was led by Jermahri Hill (26 points, three rebounds) and Mickey Pearson Jr. (24 points, nine rebounds) who both had season highs in scoring. Ethan Brittain-Watts added 11 points and two rebounds for a Ball State offense that went 45.9 percent (28-61) from the field, 45.5 percent (10-22) on 3-pointers and 76.2 percent (16-21) on free throws.
TJ Burch provided a spark off the bench in the second half for the hosts, scoring seven points and adding two assists in 10 minutes. Ben Hendriks went for six points and two rebounds, while Juanse
Gorosito had a career-high nine rebounds along with five points and six assists. The junior guard made his 200th career 3-pointer early in the second half.
Akron (22-6, 14-1) had a single digit decision in MAC play for only the fifth of its 14 wins, with two of those coming against Ball State. The Zips will clinch the No. 1 seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament with one more win or a loss by Miami (Ohio).
The visitors claimed a 35-28 advantage on the glass, and both teams committed eight turnovers. Akron shot 50.7 percent (34-67) on field goals including 30 percent (9-30) from distance while making 76.9 percent (10-13) at the foul line.
Ball State's next game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday at Bowling Green, who sits one game back of the Cardinals in the MAC standings with three games to play.
The Cardinals (14-14, 7-8 Mid-American Conference) trailed 47-39 at halftime and 82-70 with just over five minutes to play before going on a 12-3 scoring run capped off by a layup from Payton Sparks in the closing seconds to get within three points at 85-82. Akron's Tavari Johnson, who had a team-best 21 points, clinched the game for the visitors with two free throws for the day's final scoring.
Ball State was led by Jermahri Hill (26 points, three rebounds) and Mickey Pearson Jr. (24 points, nine rebounds) who both had season highs in scoring. Ethan Brittain-Watts added 11 points and two rebounds for a Ball State offense that went 45.9 percent (28-61) from the field, 45.5 percent (10-22) on 3-pointers and 76.2 percent (16-21) on free throws.
TJ Burch provided a spark off the bench in the second half for the hosts, scoring seven points and adding two assists in 10 minutes. Ben Hendriks went for six points and two rebounds, while Juanse
Gorosito had a career-high nine rebounds along with five points and six assists. The junior guard made his 200th career 3-pointer early in the second half.
Akron (22-6, 14-1) had a single digit decision in MAC play for only the fifth of its 14 wins, with two of those coming against Ball State. The Zips will clinch the No. 1 seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament with one more win or a loss by Miami (Ohio).
The visitors claimed a 35-28 advantage on the glass, and both teams committed eight turnovers. Akron shot 50.7 percent (34-67) on field goals including 30 percent (9-30) from distance while making 76.9 percent (10-13) at the foul line.
Ball State's next game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday at Bowling Green, who sits one game back of the Cardinals in the MAC standings with three games to play.
Team Stats
UA
BSU
FG%
.507
.459
3FG%
.300
.455
FT%
.769
.762
RB
35
28
TO
8
8
STL
3
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
26
FGM
9
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
24
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
C
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