Tuesday, March 4
Muncie, Ind.
7 PM
Ball State University
14-16,7-10MAC
67
vs
69
Central Michigan
14-16,7-10MAC
1
2
F
Central Mich.
22
47
69
Ball St.
39
28
67
Photo by: Bobby Ellis (Ball State Creative Services)
Men's Basketball Falls 69-67 to CMU in Home Finale
March 04, 2025 | Men's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team built a 39-22 lead into the halftime break but couldn't hold on as Central Michigan came back for a 69-67 win on Tuesday night at Worthen Arena in a game presented by Raising Cane's.
The Cardinals (14-16, 7-10 Mid-American Conference) shot 53.3 percent (16-30) from the field in the first half while limiting the Chippewas (14-16, 7-10 MAC) to 32.1 percent (9-28) shooting in the opening period. Juanse Gorosito's layup in the closing seconds put the hosts ahead by the 17-point margin at the break.
Central Michigan's Jakobi Heady hit the game-winning shot with eight seconds to play, as the Cardinals couldn't hit a fadeaway jumper as time expired. Heady and Anthony Pritchard led the Chippewas in scoring with 18 points each.
Ball State was led offensively by Jermahri Hill who tallied 21 points and four rebounds, while Mickey Pearson Jr., added 11 points and three boards. Payton Sparks (eight points, nine rebounds, three assists) and Juanse Gorosito (eight points, three rebounds) were third on the team in scoring.
Ethan Brittain-Watts hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 4:06 to play to give the Cardinals a 61-54 lead, but Central tied the game on a layup by Heady with 2:06 on the clock. After the Chippewas took a two-point lead in the final minute, Pearson Jr., hit a pair free throws to tie the score at 67-67 with 34 seconds to play before Heady's game-winner.
Ball State went 43.6 percent (24-55) on field goals for the game including 36.4 percent (8-22) from distance and made 91.7 percent (11-12) of its free throws. Central Michigan shot 49.1 percent (27-55) from the field, 27.8 percent (5-18) on 3-pointers and 83.3 percent (10-12) at the foul line.
The Chippewas outrebounded the Cardinals 33-26 but committed one more turnover (11-10).
Ball State will need to win Friday at Miami (OH) and have Western Michigan beat Bowling Green and Northern Illinois beat Central Michigan to clinch a spot in next week's MAC Tournament as the No. 8 seed.
The Cardinals (14-16, 7-10 Mid-American Conference) shot 53.3 percent (16-30) from the field in the first half while limiting the Chippewas (14-16, 7-10 MAC) to 32.1 percent (9-28) shooting in the opening period. Juanse Gorosito's layup in the closing seconds put the hosts ahead by the 17-point margin at the break.
Central Michigan's Jakobi Heady hit the game-winning shot with eight seconds to play, as the Cardinals couldn't hit a fadeaway jumper as time expired. Heady and Anthony Pritchard led the Chippewas in scoring with 18 points each.
Ball State was led offensively by Jermahri Hill who tallied 21 points and four rebounds, while Mickey Pearson Jr., added 11 points and three boards. Payton Sparks (eight points, nine rebounds, three assists) and Juanse Gorosito (eight points, three rebounds) were third on the team in scoring.
Ethan Brittain-Watts hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 4:06 to play to give the Cardinals a 61-54 lead, but Central tied the game on a layup by Heady with 2:06 on the clock. After the Chippewas took a two-point lead in the final minute, Pearson Jr., hit a pair free throws to tie the score at 67-67 with 34 seconds to play before Heady's game-winner.
Ball State went 43.6 percent (24-55) on field goals for the game including 36.4 percent (8-22) from distance and made 91.7 percent (11-12) of its free throws. Central Michigan shot 49.1 percent (27-55) from the field, 27.8 percent (5-18) on 3-pointers and 83.3 percent (10-12) at the foul line.
The Chippewas outrebounded the Cardinals 33-26 but committed one more turnover (11-10).
Ball State will need to win Friday at Miami (OH) and have Western Michigan beat Bowling Green and Northern Illinois beat Central Michigan to clinch a spot in next week's MAC Tournament as the No. 8 seed.
Team Stats
CMU
BSU
FG%
.491
.436
3FG%
.278
.364
FT%
.833
.917
RB
33
26
TO
11
10
STL
6
1
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
7
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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