Four freshmen played a key role in Ball State’s 73-53 win over Taylor University.
Freshman Zavier Turner was dubbed the player of the game, nabbing 17 points, four assists and three steals in 29 minutes of work.
“I just take what the defense gives me,” Turner said. “It’s more 50-50 with me, if I feel that I have enough space from the defender then I’m going to shoot it.”
Turner shot 3-4 from three-point distance, finishing 5-11 from the field.
Freshmen Quinten Payne, Mark Alstork and Franko House finished with a combined 21 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in a total of 60 minutes.
As the season advances, freshmen look to get more playing time as they adjust to college basketball. In the exhibition against Marian University, the four freshmen combined for
84 out of the team’s 200 minutes. Tuesday’s game saw all six of the team’s freshmen get playing time.
“We all love to play together,” Payne said. “We all really contrast with each other, and I think it is great playing with four
freshmen.”
Redshirt freshman Mading Thok entered the game at the three-minute mark for the first time in his collegiate career. The 6-foot-11 center managed to score two points and grab a rebound
in his stint. Freshman walk-on Kaleb Mallory subbed in with 1:05 left on the game clock for his first minutes in his career. However, the Muncie native did not score.
Whitford is starting to use a lineup consisting of Turner, Payne, Alstork and House to play alongside sophomore forward Bo Calhoun. That lineup played together multiple times during
Tuesday’s action.
“That’s the team you’re going to see for 30 games,” Whitford said. “The way we play and the style we play can’t rely on six or seven players.”
Whitford said people would see at least nine players on the floor from here on out.
Turnovers grabbed the attention of the stat sheet as the Cardinals gave the ball away 16 times, leading to 16 points for the Trojans. The freshman class had nine of the 16 turnovers
Tuesday.
The quicker the freshmen get used playing in a college setting, the better for Whitford and Ball State.
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