Payton Sparks’ aggressiveness
The Cardinals big man started off the contest against the Broncos with a fire under him in the opening half. Sparks was able to register an early seven points and four rebounds in the game's first ten minutes. At times this season, there has been a question about the energy from the Winchester native but Sparks made multiple hustle plays in the first half. On the red and white's third defensive possession on a scramble for the ball, the 6-foot-10-inch big man dove to the court without hesitation to get the rebound.
Sparks also made his presence felt offensively in the paint, patient but seeking his shot. Multiple times, he was able to take contact from Western Michigan defenders and convert multiple and-one baskets at the rim. At the end of the first half, Sparks scored 13 points, 7 rebounds and a block.
Sparks' aggressiveness didn’t slow down in the second half. By the end of the night, the senior would bolster his best stat line of the season with 19 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocks to lead the Cardinals.
Inconsistent Defense
Ball State’s defense has been an issue that head coach Michael Lewis has been vocal about throughout the season. On that end of the court, the Cardinals have shown some flashes of what they’re capable of but haven’t been able to put it all together and consistently work as a unit. At the start of the game, the red and white were able to contain the Broncos' offense to just 16 percent from the floor early on contesting shots, moving their feet and fighting for loose balls.
But as the half went on, the Cardinals' defense began to lose track of Western Michigan players, and their energy dropped, allowing the visitors to shoot 51 percent in the first half. The first play out of the Broncos' locker room led to an easy cut from the top of the key for a wide-open layup to begin the second period, which was emblematic of the team's lack of defensive energy.
As the game was winding down, the Cardinals' defense tightened multiple times in close spots as the game got closer, but as soon as the game
Can’t get over the hump
This season has been a rollercoaster, to say the least, for this Ball State squad. This game epitomized what this season has been for the red and white. Throughout the contest, it was a tightly contested matchup, and Ball State was able to keep things close despite trailing for most of the game. However, when the Cardinals made a run to cut the Broncos' lead to one score, the defense gave up another run, allowing Western Michigan to push their lead out again.
Ball State had multiple opportunities to take the lead or tie the game late but execution and mental errors continue to get in the way of this team being able to succeed. The self-inflicted wounds have been detrimental to the Cardinals this year, they just haven’t been able to get over the hump despite giving themselves chances to do so.
Contact David Moore with comments at david.moore@bsu.edu or on X @gingninj63
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