 BALL STATE 64, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 55 A TWIST IN FORTUNE
Accounting for all the Chippewas (4-12, 1-2 MAC) scoring in the first 8:14 of the second period, Thomas helped maintain a five-point lead over the Mid-American Conference favorites, but a twisted ankle on the landing after his fastbreak layup at the 11:46 mark forced him to exit the game. The Cardinals (11-4, 3-0 MAC) then went on an 8-2 run to gain a 45-44 lead at 9:03, their first lead since midway through the first half.
"It was a defining moment in the game," said CMU head coach Ernie Zeigler. "Guys have to step up and that didn't happen after Jalin went down. There was a sense of desperation and someone needed to pick up where he left off."
CARDINALS PULL AWAY
The Chippewas were able to stay close, keeping it a one-possession game for the next five minutes. Trey Zeigler scored his game-high 21st point on a layup with 4:45 to go, bringing CMU within one, 52-51, but it was the last field goal of the game for the Chippewas, who were outscored 12-4 the rest of the way.
Zeigler opened the game with back-to-back layups and Thomas followed with the first of his three three-pointers as the Chippewas jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead. The Cardinals retaliated with an 11-2 run but CMU was able to take a 30-25 lead into halftime.
"We gave a valiant effort at our first road win of the MAC season. In both of our first two road games, we've been right there but the game slipped away from us. (Before Thomas left the game) defensively we were keeping Ball State off balance and playing through the things we couldn't control, and we did some good things to gain that five-point lead. We just didn't have enough fortitude to keep doing those things after Jalin went out."
Thomas, who ended with 17 points and five rebounds, combined with Zeigler to account for 38 of the Chippewas' 55 points. Derek Jackson added eight in 32 minutes off the bench.
Ball State's Jarrod Jones, one of the top-five scorers in the MAC, was held to team-best 10 points. Randy Davis (10) also was in double figures for the Cardinals.
TURNOVERS
The Chippewa defense helped force a season-high 21 turnovers by the Cardinals, who entered the game with a league-low 170. The Cardinals had a decided advantage at the line, attempting 42 free throws (30-42) to the Chippewas' 10 (3-10). CMU's first free throw attempt of the game came with 9:16 left in the game.
Courtesy of Central Michigan Athletics |
