MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Toledo Rockets have only only three losses through 14 Mid-American Conference games. After Ball State’s thorough performance Saturday at Worthen Arena, the Cardinals are now responsible for two of those.
It was another wire-to-wire victory over the Rockets, this one a 99-71 bashing inside Worthen Arena. BSU was a 75-63 winner three weeks ago in the first meeting in Toledo.
The Cardinals (18-9, 9-5 MAC) won . . .
It was another wire-to-wire victory over the Rockets, this one a 99-71 bashing inside Worthen Arena. BSU was a 75-63 winner three weeks ago in the first meeting in Toledo.
The Cardinals (18-9, 9-5 MAC) won . . .
. . . for the sixth time in the past seven games behind career-high scoring performances from freshmen Ishmael El-Amin (18 points), Tyler Persons (18) Tahjai Teague (16 points, 12 boards) and Zach Gunn (16).
“I just thought it was a complete game for us," Ball State head coach James Whitford said. "It was obviously a great win against a really good basketball team. There were so many different contributions, which was fun."
“The story of us playing better is being able to adapt to the strengths of our team and become more physical. Our guys are starting to believe it. They’re developing a sense of confidence that we can beat you that way, and that’s really critical for us.”
Toledo (19-8, 11-3 MAC), entered the weekend with a share of the overall MAC lead but lost for the first time since two team teams' previous meeting.
Sophomore Luke Knapke led the way for UT with 17 points, followed by Tre'Shaun Fletcher with 15 and Nate Navigato at 12.
"Today's loss didn't have anything to with our competitive spirit. We didn't compete when we lost to Ball State at home, but there isn't anybody who can say we didn't compete today. We got out of our flow early due to our foul trouble. I told our guys to stay positive. We have a big game on Tuesday with a two-game lead in the West Division. Now we just have to get healthy for the stretch run."
Ball State shot 50.8 percent from the field oveall, sinking 31 of 61 shots. Toledo made 23 of 59 attempts (39%). The Cardinals owned more field goals (31-23), 3-point goals 9 of 19 to 7 of 19 and made free throws (28 of 36 to 18 of 22)
UT trailed 2-0 until senior guard Sean Sellers buoyed an eight-point Cardinal run with a trey with 16:11 remaining in the first half and a three-point play nearly 30 seconds later to put the Rockets down 10-0.
Toledo fought back to within four points, 16-12, with 10:39 left in the first half after a Fletcher three-point play and a Knapke corner trey.
The Rockets remained within striking distance after Sanford's two free throws closed UT's deficit to 22-17 at the 8:11 mark.
An 11-2 Cardinal spurt gave Ball State its largest lead of the opening stanza at 21 points, 48-27, 2:08 before halftime.
Navigato's trey reduced the Rockets' deficit to 49-34 with 29 seconds to play in the half but El-Amin's bucket just before the halftime buzzer put Ball State up 51-34 at intermission.
The closest Toledo came the remainder of the contest was 14 points following a Fletcher trey on the Rockets' first possession of the second half.
NEXT:
Both teams are in action Tuesday. Ball State hosts Northern Illinois , while Toledo is at Eastern Michigan. Both teams tip at 7 p.m. ET.
“I just thought it was a complete game for us," Ball State head coach James Whitford said. "It was obviously a great win against a really good basketball team. There were so many different contributions, which was fun."
“The story of us playing better is being able to adapt to the strengths of our team and become more physical. Our guys are starting to believe it. They’re developing a sense of confidence that we can beat you that way, and that’s really critical for us.”
Toledo (19-8, 11-3 MAC), entered the weekend with a share of the overall MAC lead but lost for the first time since two team teams' previous meeting.
Sophomore Luke Knapke led the way for UT with 17 points, followed by Tre'Shaun Fletcher with 15 and Nate Navigato at 12.
"Today's loss didn't have anything to with our competitive spirit. We didn't compete when we lost to Ball State at home, but there isn't anybody who can say we didn't compete today. We got out of our flow early due to our foul trouble. I told our guys to stay positive. We have a big game on Tuesday with a two-game lead in the West Division. Now we just have to get healthy for the stretch run."
Ball State shot 50.8 percent from the field oveall, sinking 31 of 61 shots. Toledo made 23 of 59 attempts (39%). The Cardinals owned more field goals (31-23), 3-point goals 9 of 19 to 7 of 19 and made free throws (28 of 36 to 18 of 22)
UT trailed 2-0 until senior guard Sean Sellers buoyed an eight-point Cardinal run with a trey with 16:11 remaining in the first half and a three-point play nearly 30 seconds later to put the Rockets down 10-0.
Toledo fought back to within four points, 16-12, with 10:39 left in the first half after a Fletcher three-point play and a Knapke corner trey.
The Rockets remained within striking distance after Sanford's two free throws closed UT's deficit to 22-17 at the 8:11 mark.
An 11-2 Cardinal spurt gave Ball State its largest lead of the opening stanza at 21 points, 48-27, 2:08 before halftime.
Navigato's trey reduced the Rockets' deficit to 49-34 with 29 seconds to play in the half but El-Amin's bucket just before the halftime buzzer put Ball State up 51-34 at intermission.
The closest Toledo came the remainder of the contest was 14 points following a Fletcher trey on the Rockets' first possession of the second half.
NEXT:
Both teams are in action Tuesday. Ball State hosts Northern Illinois , while Toledo is at Eastern Michigan. Both teams tip at 7 p.m. ET.
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