Coming off of a slim loss to Bowling Green on Tuesday, Ball State Men's Basketball snapped at three game losing streak in a strong performance on the road to Central Michigan, 82-73. With Miami just around the corner, here are some key takeaways from the matchup.
Walton clutch in the paint
Redshirt junior guard K.J. Walton has been known to be a literal driving force for the Cardinals. He proved that against the Chippewas laying in a career high 24 points in the win. He went 12-17 from close and would down 16 points in the second half alone. Walton played a major role in the midway point of the second after the team was down five he would score eight straight points to guide the Cardinals to the eventual win.
Hot start
One thing that has remained consistent in the Cardinals last three losses in the team starting off slow. Against the Chippewas, the Cardinals would open up the game on a 15-4 run and would eventually hold a 41-35 at halftime. Redshirt senior guard Tayler Persons downed 15 points in the first half going 2-4 from three point range. Persons has been 4-11 from outside the arc in the Cardinals last two matchups
Strong on the boards
Rebounding was key for Ball State in the win seeing the Cardinals pulldown 26 on the defensive side. Redshirt junior guard Tahjai Teague made up almost half of those with 10. On the offensive side, the Cardinals downed six second chance points and would lay in 18 points off of turnovers. While Central Michigan did have the edge in offensive rebounds, they weren't able to convert on those opportunities as they had three second chance points.
Strong at the line
The free throw line has not been friendly for the Cardinals over the past three losses as they are 52-82 at the line. While they only shot nine times at the line, the Cardinals only missed one shot, shooting for 89 percent on the night. Redshirt junior guard Josh Thompson and senior center Trey Moses both shot for 100 percent going 2-2 and 3-3 at the line. Walton shot for 3-4 on the night.
Contact Jack Williams with any comments a jgwilliams@bsu.edu or on Twitter @jackgwilliams
Read More
Top-seeded Cardinals’ postseason run ends with upset loss to Lindenwood
By Adam Altobella / 6 hours agoNo. 10 Ball State was upset by No. 18 Lindenwood in a five-set battle (25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 19-25, 11-15) on the Cardinals’ home court Thursday night. With how scarce at-large bids to the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament are, it is likely that the red and white’s 2024 campaign is over.
Thunderstorms likely tonight
By Lance Huffman / 7 hours agoWeather Forecaster Lance Huffman is tracking the potential for some strong/severe thunderstorms tonight.
Retired high school teacher holds presentation about history of Berlin Wall
By Emma Matlock / 12 hours agoTom Schwartz, a retired Bluffton High School Teacher, talks about the art on the Berlin Wall on April 15, 2024.
