Oxford, Ohio - Leading the Mid-American Conference West Division after a four-game home winning streak, the Ball State University men's basketball team headed east to take on Miami University.
The Cardinals' road show still needs a bit of work.
The RedHawks handed the Cardinals their third-straight defeat on the road, 59-41. Ball State's lone road win in MAC play came Jan. 10 at Eastern Michigan University during Winter Break.
"It's hard to win on the road no matter what conference you're in," coach Billy Taylor said. "We've got enough guys and talent to be able to win."
Ball State has an overall road record of 3-6, after starting the year 2-1. In every road loss this season, they have allowed their opponent to score at least 59 points. Taylor outlined a simple plan for his team to win away from Worthen Arena.
"We have to take care of the basketball, we want to do a better job of rebounding and score more points in the paint," Taylor said.
Taylor said he was upset by his team's failure to match Miami's intensity early in the game. After starting with a bigger lineup than normal, Taylor substituted senior guard Laron Frazier for freshman forward Mo Hubbard.
"Miami's a big, strong, physical team," Taylor said. "I was hoping we'd rise to their level."
RedHawks coach Charlie Coles said when scouting a team he doesn't think about it struggling in any way.
"I saw a team that seemed to be getting better," Coles said. "I respected them all the way."
Against Miami, Ball State's seniors combined for 24 points and nine rebounds but did not receive much help from the rest of the team.
Four road games remain on the schedule for Ball State, including difficult tests at the University of Akron and Western Michigan University. The Zips have won 51 of their last 57 games in James A. Rhodes Arena, and the Broncos are one game behind the Cardinals in the West Division after losing in Muncie on Jan. 20.
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