Before Saturday’s game against Miami, Ball State freshman point guard Zavier Turner was honored with the 2012-13 Mini Mr. Basketball award by Hoosier Basketball Magazine.
Ball State freshman guard Zavier Turner rubbed his temples as he walked to the bench during a timeout after his team committed its 13th turnover late in the first half. It summed up the game for the Cardinals as they lost 64-52 to the Miami RedHawks (6-9, 2-2 Mid-American Conference). Turner, the 5-foot-9 Pike High School graduate, paced his team with a game-high 24 points.
It was a focus coming in to Wednesday’s game. As the Ball State women’s basketball team prepared to host Bowling Green, it knew that speed would be key in the game.
After taking steps forward, Ball State seemed to take a step backward Wednesday night. The Ball State men’s basketball team fell 51-71 on the road against Ohio. Many of its offensive possessions in the first half were spent trying to beat the 35-second shot clock.
Free throws have been the key to Ball State’s latest victories. After not shooting well from the free-throw line and only hitting 18 out of 33 shots when playing against Eastern Michigan last week, the women’s basketball team had a stronger showing from the line in this week’s game against Kent State. Free throws were a large part of the game, having contributed 25 points to the 31-55 win over Kent State.
It’s a bit of déjà vu for the Ball State women’s basketball team. The Cardinals have won four of five, and now sit on a .500 record.
The first three seconds were a microcosm of the entire game. Ball State senior center Majok Majok couldn’t handle the opening tip, and the ball quickly found its way into the hands of Akron guard Deji Ibitayo running hard at the rim. Ball State’s freshman guard Zavier Turner ran back to defend, but was easily thrown aside by Ibitayo’s 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame. The Cardinals matched the Zips blow-for-blow in the second half, but couldn’t contain the team’s size and physicality, losing 68-72 in its Mid-American Conference opener. “Coming in, we knew it was a physical team,” senior forward Chris Bond said.
Ball State’s Chris Bond began his last run at the Mid-American Conference on Wednesday night. His team played host to the defending MAC champions and lost a close game 68-72.
First half Akron led Ball State at the half 34-28. The Zips scored in the first three seconds off a Deji Ibitayo layup.
*Ball State fell to 2-7 in a 66-58 loss *Game featured 19 lead changes, 11 ties *Ball State’s sixth consecutive loss Ball State hoped to end a five-game losing streak on the road against Southern Illinois today.
The Ball State men’s basketball team came into Tuesday’s game against Marquette as the underdogs to one of the powerhouses of the Big East Conference. The Cardinals fell to the Golden Eagles, 53-91, while the Golden Eagles had seven players score in double digits. Ball State’s freshman guard Zavier Turner outscored everyone inside the BMO Harris Bradley Center to finish the game with 16 points and five assists in 31 minutes of play for the Cardinals.
Final score: Ball State 67, Louisville 105 Ball State fell to 3-6 in a loss to No. 7 Louisville tonight.
FINAL SCORE: Ball State 51, Wyoming 71 Ball State fell to 3-5 on the season after losing to Wyoming tonight. The Cardinals gave up the lead early and never managed to close the gap in the 51-71 loss.
Ball State is in the final stages of preparation before they embark on a three game road trip that will carry them to New Year’s Eve. “We have had a good week of practice; it’s been exam week so our guys are studying a lot.” Head coach James Whitford said.
If she’s open, then her teammates probably know. Freshman guard Jill Morrison was open early and often in Ball State’s 85-77 win over Western Kentucky tonight.
Head coach Brady Sallee watched his team’s 22-point lead evaporate. With 4:35 left, the Ball State women’s basketball team was tied with Western Kentucky at 68. Sophomore Nathalie Fontaine worked herself deep into the post, where junior Shelbie Justice found her with a lob pass. The Swedish transfer turned and fired, her opponent making contact with Fontaine as the ball rose through the air.
After a 0-3 start to the 2013 season, the Ball State women’s basketball team was left to question what it needed to change.
The diameter of the basketball rim at Worthen Arena is 18 inches. For the Ball State men’s basketball team Wednesday night, it seemed more like eight inches. Ball State shot 27-of-56 from the field in the 69-50 loss to Valparaiso. It was clear from the tipoff that the Cardinals would struggle to score in the game. On Ball State’s first possession, senior center Majok Majok was passed the ball down low.
Ball State hoped to end a three-game losing streak against Valparaiso (6-4) Wednesday night at Worthen Arena and secure their third win of the season. Instead, the Cardinals lost 69-50 to the Crusaders who proved to be longer and stronger.
• Ball State comes into mid-week game against Valparaiso • The Cardinals are on a three-game losing streak • The head coach has focused on defense It’s a process. For the Ball State men’s basketball team (2-4) and head coach James Whitford, this has been their mantra.
