Efficient Perimeter Shooting Not Enough for Cardinals in 78-65 Setback to Akron

Friday, February 20

Muncie, Ind.

6:30 PM

Ball State University

8-19,3-11MAC

Akron

22-5,13-1MAC

Akron

Ball St.

Photo by: Sam Findley/Ball State Athletics

Efficient Perimeter Shooting Not Enough for Cardinals in 78-65 Setback to Akron

February 20, 2026 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men's basketball team made a run at one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference but fell 78-65 to Akron on Friday night at Worthen Arena.

The Cardinals went on a 9-0 scoring run capped off by a 3-pointer from Armoni Zeigler to take a 27-23 lead at the 6:57 mark of the first half. Akron (22-5, 13-1 MAC) scored the final five points of the opening period to hold a 40-36 edge at the break.

Ball State (8-19, 3-11 MAC) got a triple from Davion Hill to start the second half, but the visiting Zips made a trio of 3-pointers to advance the edge to 49-39 and force a timeout. Devon Barnes hit a shot beyond the arc with 14:32 to play to cut Akron's advantage to 52-46, and Zeigler made a layup at the 13:50 mark to make the score 54-48, but the visitors went on an 11-0 run from there and led by at least 13 points for the remainder of the game.

Hill made all four 3-point attempts he took and put up an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double along with two assists on the night. Barnes went 4-for-5 from distance on his way to 16 points while adding three assists. Zeigler joined them in double figures with 10 points, four assists and two steals.

Preston Copeland chipped in nine points and five rebounds, and Elmore James IV and Juwan Maxey had six points and three rebounds each to round out the Ball State scoring.

Akron got 26 points and eight rebounds from Amani Lyles and 25 points, six rebounds and six assists from Tavari Johnson on its way to the road win.

The Zips won the rebounding battle 40-35 and enjoyed a 38-20 advantage in points in the paint. Ball State committed four more turnovers (14-10).

The hosts shot 39.7 percent (23-58) from the field including 46.4 percent (13-28) from distance and made 6 of 9 free throw attempts. Akron went 45.3 percent (29-64) on field goals, 31.0 percent (9-29) on 3-pointers and 73.3 percent (11-15) at the foul line. The 13 triples for Ball State were the second-most this season for the Cardinals behind 14 made against Le Moyne back in November.

Ball State remains home to host UMass on Tuesday night in the first home game with the Minutemen since they joined the conference prior to this season.