Ball State (1-1, 0-0 MAC) hosted Franklin College (0-1, 0-0 HCAC) in its first home game of the 2024-25 season. It was the 65th meeting between the two Indiana schools, and the first since 1969.
Here are four takeaways from the contest.
Shooting improvement, but still needs work
The Cardinals shot poorly in its first contest of the season at Georgia State, shooting 22-for-68 (32 percent) from the field, and 8-for-33 (24 percent) from the perimeter.
The field goal shooting was a lot better tonight, as Ball State was 29-for-55 (53 percent). However, the three-point shooting didn’t improve much. The Cardinals were 4-16 (25 percent) from outside.
Over half of Ball State’s scoring was in the paint (42). The red and black got some pretty good looks and took significantly less three pointers, not relying on it as much as the first game.
This seems to be something that’ll just get better over time.
Free throws
At times when the offense would get stale, Ball State did a good job at getting to the line.
The Cardinals shot 23 more free throws than the Grizzlies, hitting them at a 67 percent clip (25-for-37).
Payton Sparks found himself at the charity stripe more than anyone, with Franklin barely beating him as a team. The senior shot 12 free throws, making nine of them (75 percent).
Turnovers
Ball State had 19 turnovers tonight, 13 more than in its first contest, with nine of them coming in the first half. Most of them were unforced errors.
The Cardinals would lose a handle of the ball, make an errant pass or telegraph where they intended to go with the ball. There was a sequence in the first half that saw back-to-back turnovers, leading to scores for the Grizzlies (21 points off turnovers).
Lewis was visibly livid after many of the mistakes, but he knows it is something that’ll take time.
Sparks return to Worthen
The senior big man played his first game at Worthen Arena in about a year and a half after his short stint at Indiana University last season.
Sparks finished the contest with 17 points and five rebounds on 80 percent shooting. His point tally was bolstered by his nine free throws.
Ball State faithful and Lewis are both excited to have him back this season.
Contact Derran Cobb via email at derrancobb@gmail.com or via X @derran_cobb.
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