MUNCIE, IN — On Nov. 16, the Ball State Men’s Basketball team headed to Worthen Arena for a tough matchup against the Indiana State Sycamores.
This yearly matchup dates back to the year 1919. Each team is especially dominant at home when they play one another. This is what makes this matchup a must-watch year in and year out.
After starting the game looking sharp, going up 7-0, the Sycamores would storm back to take the lead. This intense matchup had 9 separate lead changes. In the end, the Cardinals would end up falling to the Sycamores 94-84 after the Sycamores scored 58 points in the second half of play.
Despite the loss, Ball State head coach Michael Lewis is ready to make the necessary changes to start getting in the win column.
“I haven't pushed the right buttons, I haven’t been able to find the combination of five guys that can perform in synch with one another… and I gotta do a better job with that,” said Lewis
Despite the loss, Indiana transfer Payton Sparks continues to be a standout for the program, as in this game he led the Cardinals with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in the losing effort.
“I just wanted to be more aggressive, I didn’t think I was being aggressive the first couple games, I was kinda being a little passive but, it’s just what the defense was giving me, and I just wanted to punch it inside and set the tone.” Sparks said after the game.
The Cardinals look to find themselves in the win column again when they play Detroit Mercy on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at home, in Worthen Arena.
Contact Stephen Grata with comments at stephen.grata@bsu.edu.
