Despite a second half performance where it shot 15-of-20 (75 percent) from the field, the Ball State University men's basketball team lost 63-56 to visiting Kent State University in Saturday's Mid-American Conference action at Worthen Arena.
Both Ball State coach Billy Taylor and Kent State coach Geno Ford considered the game to be the tale of two halves. Kent State shot 17-of-27 (63 percent) from the field in the first half and headed into halftime with a 38-22 lead, while the Cardinals outscored the Golden Flashes 34-25 in a second half comeback bid.
"The first half, we were not very good offensively or defensively," Taylor said. "The second half, our guys really responded. I thought we really battled, I thought our seniors led the way and set the tone of competitiveness."
Two seniors, guard Brandon Lampley and guard/forward Rob Giles, posted career-high scoring totals against Kent State. Lampley had a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting with two assists, while Giles added 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range.
Freshman center Jarrod Jones rebounded from not scoring in the first half to finish with six points and a game-high eight rebounds.
For Kent State (12-11, 5-4 MAC), junior guard Chris Singletary had a team-high 19 points and seven rebounds. Two other teammates reached double-digits, as forward Julian Sullinger had 13 points and three assists and Tyree Evans added 11 points.
2007-08 MAC Player of the Year, senior guard Al Fisher, finished with two points and three assists on 1-of-4 shooting. Fisher - the Golden Flashes' leading scorer - played 22 minutes and was limited due to early foul trouble and an apparent illness, Ford said.
With the loss, the Cardinals (10-11, 5-4 MAC) move to a half-game lead over Western Michigan University atop the MAC West Division standings. The Broncos (7-14, 4-4 MAC) do not play Saturday, but travel to the University of Akron (14-8, 5-3 MAC) tomorrow to take on the Zips.
With a win against Akron, the Cardinals and the Broncos would be tied for the MAC West lead, while a Western Michigan loss would again improve Ball State to a one game lead.
The Cardinals next play on Wednesday as they travel to Akron for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Zips.
For complete coverage of Saturday's game, read Monday's edition of The Ball State Daily News.
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