
Photo by: Miami University Athletics
Men's Basketball Concludes Season with 79-66 Setback at Miami
March 07, 2025 | Men's Basketball
OXFORD, Ohio – The Ball State men's basketball team couldn't overcome an early deficit and fell 79-66 at Miami (OH) Friday night at Millett Hall.
The Cardinals trailed 11-0 early against the RedHawks (23-8, 14-4 Mid-American Conference), who enter next week's MAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed.
Ball State used a 9-0 scoring run capped off by a Jermahri Hill layup to get within 37-23 in the final minute of the first half, but Miami scored the last four points of the opening period to take a 41-23 lead into the break and would lead by double figures for the balance of the second half.
Hill paced the Cardinals with 18 points while adding four rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Joey Hart had a career-high 14 points and collected four rebounds. TJ Burch chipped in 12 points, five assists and three boards.
Payton Sparks (eight points, 11 rebounds) and Mickey Pearson Jr. (four points, 11 rebounds) each had double digit boards in their final collegiate game. Kody Clancy scored his first career points on an and-1 in the closing minutes of the second half.
Kam Craft (19 points) and Dan Luers (18) led a Miami offense that shot 42.9 percent (30-70) from the field and 36.1 percent (13-36) on 3-pointers.
Ball State went 38.8 percent (26-67) on field goals including 14.3 percent (3-21) from distance and 64.7 percent (11-17) at the foul line. The Cardinals outrebounded the RedHawks 47-40 but committed more turnovers (14-9).
The Cardinals conclude the 2024-25 season with a 14-17 (7-11 MAC) record.
The Cardinals trailed 11-0 early against the RedHawks (23-8, 14-4 Mid-American Conference), who enter next week's MAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed.
Ball State used a 9-0 scoring run capped off by a Jermahri Hill layup to get within 37-23 in the final minute of the first half, but Miami scored the last four points of the opening period to take a 41-23 lead into the break and would lead by double figures for the balance of the second half.
Hill paced the Cardinals with 18 points while adding four rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Joey Hart had a career-high 14 points and collected four rebounds. TJ Burch chipped in 12 points, five assists and three boards.
Payton Sparks (eight points, 11 rebounds) and Mickey Pearson Jr. (four points, 11 rebounds) each had double digit boards in their final collegiate game. Kody Clancy scored his first career points on an and-1 in the closing minutes of the second half.
Kam Craft (19 points) and Dan Luers (18) led a Miami offense that shot 42.9 percent (30-70) from the field and 36.1 percent (13-36) on 3-pointers.
Ball State went 38.8 percent (26-67) on field goals including 14.3 percent (3-21) from distance and 64.7 percent (11-17) at the foul line. The Cardinals outrebounded the RedHawks 47-40 but committed more turnovers (14-9).
The Cardinals conclude the 2024-25 season with a 14-17 (7-11 MAC) record.
Team Stats
BSU
Miami
FG%
.388
.429
3FG%
.143
.361
FT%
.647
.667
RB
47
40
TO
14
9
STL
6
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Players Mentioned
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
Men's Basketball // Jai Anthoni Bearden - Heart of the Cardinal Podcast
Wednesday, August 20