INDIANAPOLIS — Ball State coach Tim Buckley said histeam's 78-60 loss to IUPUI wasn't anymore disappointingthan the Cardinals previous two defeats.
However, the numbers show it was the most decisive of thethree.
Ball State shot a mere 6 of 32 in the first half, then watchedthe host Jaguars take 36 foul shots after halftime. And regardlessof the half, the Cardinals could not contain IUPUI OdellBradley.
The 6-4 senior forward powered up 23 points and grabbed astaggering 18 rebounds in leading the Jaguars (5-3) to their firstwin over Ball State (3-3) in four total tries.
"We didn't guard him," said Buckley who hadseveral different players guard Bradley, to no avail."He's a good player and took it right at us. Heout-toughed us. "
Terrance Chapman's basket gave the Cards the initial lead,but the Jaguars reeled off 16 straight points before MichaelBennett's putback stopped the bleeding just temporarily.
"They simply got a nice jump on us to start and we nevercame back from it," Robert Owens said. "Defensively iswhere we need to win games, and we didn't competethere."
"We were tentative in every area tonight," Buckleysaid. "From the opening tip the game was over. They did areally good job (with their zone defense). We didn't attackit; we backed away."
IUPUI stretched its first-half advantage to 32-12 before BallState worked it down to 36-22 at halftime.
A short one-hander by Cameron Echols had BSU again starting ahalf on the right foot. The Jaguars quickly responded with a 15-2run. Four free throws by Brandon Cole, wrapped around Buckleygetting whistled for a technical foul, had the Cardinals startingat a 51-26 deficit with 15:57 still remaining. The margin reached28 twice before Owens heated up — albeit much too late.
Owens finished with 14 points — all in the second half— and nine rebounds to pace the Cards. Freshman Skip Mills(11 points, his second-straight game in double figures) and MichaelBennett (season-high eight points) grabbed six boards apiece.
Both teams made 20 shots from the field, but Ball State shot 29percent and IUPUI 41. The Jaguars also made 33 of 43 free throws.Cole (17 points, eight rebounds) and Dannorris Harvey (15 and 5)joined Bradley in double figures.
"Not standing up to them, not competing like weneeded," Buckley said of his team not meeting theJaguars' challenge, "and I take full responsibility.It's not the player's fault, it's mine.We're just going to go back to work and getbetter."
Ball State, which has now last three of its last four games,will try to get back above the .500 mark when it plays host toWestern Kentucky on Tuesday. The Cardinals will then travel to No.1 Connecticut for a Sunday matchup before opening up conferenceplay.
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