MUNCIE, Ind -- Defense and a big day at the foul line helped Ball State post a 71-62 win over Miami Saturday at Worthen Arena.
With the victory, BSU (11-7, 4-1 MAC) moved . . .
In addition to four starters reaching double figures, the Ball State bench contributed 19 points. It also turned up the Cardinals defense.
“I thought the bench made a big difference,” said James Whitford, who picked up his 100th career win as the Cardinals head coach. “I thought the defensive intensity that our bench brought became contagious. It lifted everybody. If you are going to be a good team, you have to find lots of different ways to win. This was a good win for us.”
While the defensive intensity was there, fouls were not. Miami made it to the line for just four free throws and made three. Meanwhile, Ball State knocked down 16-of-22 charity tosses.
Tahjai Teague, who hit 6-of-8 at the line, led the Cardinals with 14 points. Ishmael El-Amin and Luke Bumbalough each dropped in 13, while Kyle Mallers added 10.
Miami's Nike Sibande led all scorers with game-highs in points (16) and rebounds (10). It was his second straight game with a double-double and fourth of the season.
The RedHawks' offense was clicking early and MU jumped out to a 9-2 advantage.
After trailing 21-10, Ball State took advantage of three Bumbalough triples to close in on the visitors. When Bachen Hazen hit banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer, the Cardinals owned a 33-30 edge.
Ball State put together a 10-0 run near the second-period midway point to forge a 45-38 lead. Miami was unable to get closer than three points the rest of the way and was held scoreless over the last 2:34.
NOTES:
>> Both teams connected on 11 triples. Ball State did it off 29 tries (37.9%), while MU made 11-of-19 (57.9%).
>> Sibande's game-high 16 points came without the benefit of a free throw. Mikhi Lairy (2/2) and Grant (1/2) were the only to RedHawks to attempt a free throw.
>> Miami hit 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field overall, while Ball State was at 44.0 percent (22-of-50).
>> BSU owned a 32-26 rebounding edge, blocked five shots and recorded six steals.