Saturday, March 1
Bowling Green, Ohio
2 PM
Ball State University
14-15,7-9MAC
52
at
61
Bowling Green
13-16,7-9MAC
1
2
F
Ball St.
24
28
52
Bowling Green
25
36
61
Photo by: Jacob Neary
Men's Basketball Falls 61-52 at Bowling Green
March 01, 2025 | Men's Basketball
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Ball State men's basketball team got a spark from freshman TJ Burch midway through the second half, but it wasn't enough as Bowling Green won 61-52 on Saturday afternoon at the Stroh Center.
The Cardinals (14-15, 7-9 Mid-American Conference) led by as many as seven points after a 7-0 scoring run gave them a 14-7 lead at the 11:43 mark of the first half, but the Falcons (13-16, 7-9 MAC) fought back to take a 25-24 lead into the break.
Bowling Green scored 15 of the first 21 points of the second half to gain a 40-30 edge before Burch came in and made a 3-pointer from the right corner and a pair of assists to Ben Hendriks and one on a triple by Mickey Pearson Jr., to cut the deficit to 45-43 with 8:46 to play. The hosts scored the next six points and would lead by at least six for the rest of the way.
Pearson Jr., tallied 15 points, four rebounds and two assists for the Cardinals, while Payton Sparks chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Juanse Gorosito added eight points, two rebounds and two assists, while Hendriks (six points, four rebounds) and Burch (five points, three rebounds, three assists) each contributed multiple field goals.
The hosts avoided getting swept in the season series after Ball State beat Bowling Green 91-69 back on Jan. 11 at Worthen Arena. The Falcons got a game-high 26 points from guard Javontae Campbell and won the rebounding battle 38-36 while committing two fewer turnovers (10-8) in the game.
Ball State went 33.9 percent (20-59) from the field including 26.1 percent (6-23) from distance and 85.7 percent (6-7) at the foul line. Bowling Green shot 41.1 percent (23-56) on field goals, 26.3 percent (5-19) on 3-pointers and 83.3 percent (10-12) on free throws.
The Cardinals are back home at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night to host Central Michigan for the home finale. There will be a pregame ceremony to honor the team's seniors.
The Cardinals (14-15, 7-9 Mid-American Conference) led by as many as seven points after a 7-0 scoring run gave them a 14-7 lead at the 11:43 mark of the first half, but the Falcons (13-16, 7-9 MAC) fought back to take a 25-24 lead into the break.
Bowling Green scored 15 of the first 21 points of the second half to gain a 40-30 edge before Burch came in and made a 3-pointer from the right corner and a pair of assists to Ben Hendriks and one on a triple by Mickey Pearson Jr., to cut the deficit to 45-43 with 8:46 to play. The hosts scored the next six points and would lead by at least six for the rest of the way.
Pearson Jr., tallied 15 points, four rebounds and two assists for the Cardinals, while Payton Sparks chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Juanse Gorosito added eight points, two rebounds and two assists, while Hendriks (six points, four rebounds) and Burch (five points, three rebounds, three assists) each contributed multiple field goals.
The hosts avoided getting swept in the season series after Ball State beat Bowling Green 91-69 back on Jan. 11 at Worthen Arena. The Falcons got a game-high 26 points from guard Javontae Campbell and won the rebounding battle 38-36 while committing two fewer turnovers (10-8) in the game.
Ball State went 33.9 percent (20-59) from the field including 26.1 percent (6-23) from distance and 85.7 percent (6-7) at the foul line. Bowling Green shot 41.1 percent (23-56) on field goals, 26.3 percent (5-19) on 3-pointers and 83.3 percent (10-12) on free throws.
The Cardinals are back home at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night to host Central Michigan for the home finale. There will be a pregame ceremony to honor the team's seniors.
Team Stats
BSU
BGSU
FG%
.339
.411
3FG%
.261
.263
FT%
.857
.833
RB
36
38
TO
10
8
STL
2
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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