• Blog
  • About Us
  • Links
  MAC Reporter Online

Cardinals fight off Longwood rally

11/22/2015

 
RICHMOND, Ky. -- Ryan Weber scored 17 points Saturday and Franko House added 14 as the Ball State Cardinals defeated Longwood 78-67 at the @EKUHoops Classic.

The Cardinals (2-2) hit timely shots and got to the free throw line down the stretch to open up a game that was tied with six minutes to go. The team drained 24 of 28 free throws for the evening, including 9 for 10 from Weber and 7 for 7 from Jeremiah Davis.
“We talk a lot about playing to win, and that means you aren’t hesitant down the stretch,” Ball State coach James Whitford said. “You make attacking plays and be the aggressor, and I thought out guys did that.”

Ball State opened up a 10-point lead midway through the second half only to see Longwood storm back to tie the game at 57. Kanayo Obi-Rapu hit some key 3-pointers during that stretch on his way to a team-high 21 points for the Lancers (2-2).

But the Cardinals responded. Nate Wells found Weber for a 3, and House followed with a 3-point play as Ball State regained control. BSU then went 10 for 10 from the free throw line over the final four minutes to seal the win. Davis made four of those foul shots and had the ball in his hands a lot late.

Wells played a season high 17 impactful minutes. Ball State went to a zone defense, and the fifth-year big man helped force Longwood away from the basket. Longwood center Lotanna Nwogbo, who went for 27 points and 15 rebounds a night earlier against South Carolina State, managed just four points and five boards.

“I thought Nate Wells was unbelievable,” Whitford said. “We were having a tough time defending their dribble penetration, and it was putting us in foul trouble. That’s why we went zone. We put Nate in there, and he really clogged up the paint in that zone. I thought he made a big difference in the game.”

All 10 Cardinals who played in the game scored. Davis finished with nine points, while Bo Calhoun and Francis Kiapway scored eight each. Kiapway had all eight of his in the first half to help Ball State to a one-point lead at the break.

The Cardinals flipped the script from the previous night when they were outscored by 15 at the foul line against Eastern Kentucky. On Saturday, they outscored Longwood 24-11 at the stripe.

House went 6 for 7 from the floor and is now 14 for 16 in two games this weekend. He is averaging 15.5 points per game for the tournament, and Weber is averaging 18.

“Franko does a lot for us,” Whitford said. “He shoots a good percentage, he’s a good defender, he’s a team guy, and he takes care of the basketball. Ryan Weber had another solid game. It was a great team effort tonight.”

Ball State will close out the @EKUHoops Classic at 4:30 p.m. Sunday against South Carolina State.

(Courtesy of BSU Athletics)

Comments are closed.
    Picture

    MAC Football 

    UPCOMING GAMES
    All times Eastern

    ​

    MAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS
    -- Final - 2022 -- 
    MAC EAST
    OHIO 7-1
    BUFFALO 5-3
    BOWLING GREEN 5-3

    MIAMI 4-4
    KENT STATE 4-4
    AKRON 1-7

    MAC WEST
    TOLEDO 5-3

    EASTERN MICHIGAN 5-3
    WESTERN MICHIGAN 4-4
    ​BALL STATE 3-5
    CENTRAL MICHIGAN 3-5

    NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2-6

    MAC Basketball 
    MAC BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
    CLICK HERE

    ​





    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Basketball
    Football
    Other

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly