Zeigler's Big Night not Enough for Cardinals in 87-77 Setback at Akron

Tuesday, January 13

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

Ball State University

4-13,0-5MAC

Akron

13-4,4-1MAC

Ball St.

Akron

Photo by: Akron Athletics

Zeigler's Big Night not Enough for Cardinals in 87-77 Setback at Akron

January 13, 2026 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

AKRON, Ohio – Armoni Zeigler tied a career high with 30 points, but the Ball State men's basketball team couldn't complete a comeback as Akron took an 87-77 decision on Tuesday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Ball State trailed 14-2 early in the contest but later went on a 15-5 scoring run, capped by a Zeigler layup with 7:17 on the clock in the first half, to tie the score at 28-28. Akron responded with a 15-6 run to take a 43-34 edge into halftime.

The host Zips (13-4, 4-1 Mid-American Conference) built a lead that peaked at 74-52 with just under eight minutes to play, but Ball State (4-13, 0-5 MAC) rallied back with a 13-2 stretch that cut the deficit to 76-65 after a 3-pointer by Zeigler with 4:27 to play. Akron maintained a double figure advantage from there to improve its home winning streak to 25 games.

Zeigler tied his collegiate best in scoring (Nov. 20, 2024 vs Saint Elizabeth when he was at Saint Peter's) and went for 10 more points than his previous season high (20 points against Mansfield on Nov. 7). The junior tallied 18 of those points in the first half and went 11-for-18 from the field for the game including 3-for-6 from distance and 5-for-5 on free throws while adding five rebounds.

Elmore James IV followed with 17 points near his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and Davion Hill contributed 15 points, six rebounds and three assists as the other Cardinal in double figures. Forward Cam Denson chipped in seven points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Devon Barnes posted six points and two boards.

Akron outrebounded Ball State by two (33-31) and held a 14-9 edge in second chance points, but the Cardinals tallied more points in the paint (34-30). Ball State committed more turnovers (10-8) but got more points off turnovers (11-8).

Tavari Johnson paced the Zips with 22 points and seven assists, while Amani Lyles posted a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double.

Ball State went 48.2 percent (27-56) from the field, 32 percent (8-25) on 3-pointers and 78.9 percent (15-19) at the foul line. Akron hit 47.6 percent (30-63) of its field goal attempts including 37.1 percent (13-35) from distance and 87.5 percent (14-16) on free throws.

The Cardinals return home after a two-game roadtrip to face Ohio at 8:30 p.m. on Friday.