Ball State University Athletics

Photo by: Toledo Athletics
Men's Basketball's Win Streak Snapped at Toledo
January 31, 2026 | Men's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Ball State men's basketball team had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 73-55 setback to Toledo on Saturday afternoon at Savage Arena.
Kayden Fish and Devon Barnes scored three points each in a 6-0 run to bring the Cardinals' deficit down to 25-20 at the 6:20 mark of the first half, but the host Rockets built the lead to 39-27 going into halftime and led by double figures for the balance of the second half.
Fish (14 points, five rebounds) and Jai Anthoni Bearden (seven points) scored career highs off the bench for Ball State (7-14, 3-6 Mid-American Conference). Armoni Zeigler added 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals for the visitors, who had won consecutive games against Ohio, Central Michigan and Northern Illinois entering Saturday's contest.
A dunk from Fish gave the Cardinals a 9-7 edge five minutes into the game, but Toledo went on a 16-4 run to lead 23-13 midway through the opening period. The hosts shot 49.1 percent from the field for the game including 57.7 percent (15-26) in the first half.
Barnes chipped in seven points, and Elmore James IV contributed four points and two assists for Ball State. Preston Copeland collected seven rebounds and scored two points.
Both teams grabbed 34 rebounds, but Toledo (12-10, 6-4 MAC) held a 34-24 advantage on points in the paint. Ball State committed one more turnover (14-13) than the Rockets as each team generated 12 points off turnovers.
Ball State went 31.4 percent (16-51) from the field, 20 percent on 3-pointers (4-20) and 70.4 percent (19-27) on free throws. Toledo made 31.8 percent (7-22) of its 3-point attempts and went 85.7 percent (12-14) at the foul line.
Guard Sonny Wilson led the hosts with 19 points and seven assists, while three other Rockets scored in double figures.
Ball State's next game is set for 7 p.m., on Tuesday night at Bowling Green in what will be the second of a three-game road stretch.
Kayden Fish and Devon Barnes scored three points each in a 6-0 run to bring the Cardinals' deficit down to 25-20 at the 6:20 mark of the first half, but the host Rockets built the lead to 39-27 going into halftime and led by double figures for the balance of the second half.
Fish (14 points, five rebounds) and Jai Anthoni Bearden (seven points) scored career highs off the bench for Ball State (7-14, 3-6 Mid-American Conference). Armoni Zeigler added 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals for the visitors, who had won consecutive games against Ohio, Central Michigan and Northern Illinois entering Saturday's contest.
A dunk from Fish gave the Cardinals a 9-7 edge five minutes into the game, but Toledo went on a 16-4 run to lead 23-13 midway through the opening period. The hosts shot 49.1 percent from the field for the game including 57.7 percent (15-26) in the first half.
Barnes chipped in seven points, and Elmore James IV contributed four points and two assists for Ball State. Preston Copeland collected seven rebounds and scored two points.
Both teams grabbed 34 rebounds, but Toledo (12-10, 6-4 MAC) held a 34-24 advantage on points in the paint. Ball State committed one more turnover (14-13) than the Rockets as each team generated 12 points off turnovers.
Ball State went 31.4 percent (16-51) from the field, 20 percent on 3-pointers (4-20) and 70.4 percent (19-27) on free throws. Toledo made 31.8 percent (7-22) of its 3-point attempts and went 85.7 percent (12-14) at the foul line.
Guard Sonny Wilson led the hosts with 19 points and seven assists, while three other Rockets scored in double figures.
Ball State's next game is set for 7 p.m., on Tuesday night at Bowling Green in what will be the second of a three-game road stretch.
Team Stats
BSU
UT
FG%
.314
.491
3FG%
.200
.318
FT%
.704
.857
RB
34
34
TO
14
13
STL
6
9
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Men's Basketball // Post Game Press Conference at Toledo
Saturday, January 31
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Jeff Mitchell and Michael Lewis
Thursday, January 29
Men's Basketball // 1985-86 MAC Title team: Interviews: D. Eha, D. Wesley, D. Palombizio, C. Shelton
Wednesday, January 28
Men's Basketball // Victory Recap Video vs. NIU
Tuesday, January 27











