Game stats in Jan. 23 matchup
Points
Ball State: 71
Buffalo: 68
Rebounds
Ball State: 35
Buffalo: 32
Field goal percentage
Ball State: 49.1
Buffalo: 44.8
Three-point percentage
Ball State: 29.4
Buffalo: 7.1
Second-chance points
Ball State: 21
Buffalo: 16
Bench points
Ball State: 26
Buffalo: 6
Turnovers
Ball State: 14
Buffalo: 12
Members of the Ball State men’s basketball program walked off Worthen Arena’s hardwood floor with their fists clenched in the air and their heads high Jan. 23.
Ball State had just secured the fourth win of the season as the team knocked off visiting Buffalo 71-68.
Tonight, the Cardinals get the chance to walk into New York and defeat the 11-7 Bulls and earn its second Mid-American Conference win of the season. That’s easier said than done, as the Bulls are 9-1 at home.
“They pressured us [on defense] a little bit here,” head coach James Whitford said. “That’s always easier to do at home.”
Statistically, Ball State played its best basketball against Buffalo. The Cardinals committed 14 turnovers, which is almost three less than its season average. Ball State’s bench outscored Buffalo’s bench 26-6 as the Cardinals held the Bulls to 8 points off turnovers.
The Cardinals’ primary concern was containing Javon McCrea and Will Regan. McCrea paced the Bulls with 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Regan finished with 8 points and seven rebounds.
“[McCrea] really hurt us on offensive rebounds,” Whitford said. “When he gets an offensive rebound, it’s like locking up 2 points cause he’s so strong around the rim.”
Whitford emphasized the importance of locating McCrea and defending him in transition.
“We have to make sure he’s not getting early catches in transition,” Whitford said. “Special players require special rules. And he’s a special player, there’s no question about that.”
All-MAC center Majok Majok scored 12 points and pulled down five rebounds against McCrea. Majok was key late in the second half of that game as he scored 4 points within the final four minutes.
Majok also was effective as he helped limit the Bulls from scoring a basket in the last minute of the game.
“To Majok’s credit, he’s extremely unselfish,” Whitford said. “He’s a great kid, honestly. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Freshman guard Zavier Turner was held scoreless for the first time in his collegiate career against Buffalo. He also committed zero turnovers for the first time, as he bested his previous season low in turnovers with two.
He appeared comfortable as he broke any traps employed by the Bulls. He ran the offense well as he was a catalyst toward the team’s 17 assists.
Senior forward Chris Bond also had a big game as he paced the Cardinals with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Since its last encounter with Buffalo, Ball State has gone 0-3, dropping two of its three games to MAC West teams in Western Michigan and Northern Illinois.
“It’s a long college basketball season,” Whitford said. “It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you handle what happens that’s important.”
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