As Ball State’s No. 1 scoring option, it’s easy to see why Jesse Berry draws so much attention in late-game situations.
For the second game in a row, however, the junior guard made opposing teams pay for their narrow focus.
With an on-ball defender and three more Eastern Michigan players eyeing him from the paint, Berry crossed over from the right wing before rifling a pass to a wide-open Chris Bond on the baseline.
The junior forward drew a foul with .6 seconds remaining and made two free throws to seal Ball State’s 60-58 win over Eastern Michigan in both teams Mid-American Conference opener on Wednesday.
Although Bond clinched the game at the line with two of his game-high 18 points, it was Berry who made the play.
Coach Billy Taylor put the ball in Berry’s hands with 8.3 seconds left and the score tied at 58. The vision to find Bond became the latest example of how the MAC West Division Player of the Week’s playmaking skills are starting to rival his lethal outside shot.
In last week’s game against Norfolk State, Berry drove full-court and found junior Majok Majok under the basket for a buzzer-beating dunk.
The Lafayette, Ind., native finished the game with eight points, six off his season average, but set a new career-high in assists with six.
Ball State shot a season-high 58.5 percent (24-of-41) from the field against Eastern Michigan’s 2-3 zone on Wednesday.
Senior guard Jauwan Scaife scored at least 18 points for the third consecutive game, but it was Bond who filled up the stat sheet. He shot 8-of-8 from the field to go along with four assists, three rebounds and three assists.
The Eagles were led in scoring by senior guard Derek Thompson, who had 16 points off the bench.
After leading 33-28 at halftime, the Cardinals led the rest of the way before the game was tied at 58.
Ball State’s next game is on Saturday against Kent State at 2 p.m.
