Persons leads hot shooting Ball State over Howard 98-71
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Tayler Persons scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting Thursday night and Ball State made 14 3-pointers in a 98-71 victory over Howard.
Tahjai Teague added 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds for the Cardinals (8-4), who have won seven of eight. Ball State shot 34 of 58 (59 percent) from the field and 14 of 29 (48 percent) from 3-point range.
Ishmael El-Amin scored 15 in his first career start and Kyle Mallers and Zach Gunn added 12 points each. Persons was 3 of 5 from 3-point range and Mallers hit 4 of 7.
Ball State opened the game with an 18-6 lead, but Howard responded to go in front at 28-24. The Cardinals retook the lead for good with an 8-0 run and pulled away in the second half to lead by as many as 33.
Charles Williams and Raymond Bethea Jr. had 14 points each for the Bison (6-6), who lost their third straight. RJ Cole and Kyle Foster added 11 points apiece.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Buddy Mayborg
- Tim Stewart
- Ed Phillips
2024-25 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk State | 4-1 | - | 14-8 |
| Howard | 3-1 | 0.5 | 8-12 |
| North Carolina Central | 3-2 | 1 | 10-12 |
| South Carolina State | 3-2 | 1 | 9-11 |
| Morgan State | 3-2 | 1 | 9-12 |
| Delaware State | 2-3 | 2 | 10-10 |
| Coppin State | 1-4 | 3 | 3-17 |
| Maryland Eastern Shore | 0-4 | 3.5 | 4-16 |
2024-25 Mid-American Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 8-0 | - | 15-5 |
| Miami (OH) | 7-1 | 1 | 15-5 |
| Toledo | 6-2 | 2 | 12-8 |
| Ohio | 5-3 | 3 | 11-9 |
| Kent State | 4-4 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Eastern Michigan | 4-4 | 4 | 10-10 |
| Ball State | 3-5 | 5 | 9-11 |
| Central Michigan | 3-5 | 5 | 9-11 |
| Western Michigan | 3-5 | 5 | 6-14 |
| Bowling Green | 2-6 | 6 | 7-13 |
| Buffalo | 2-6 | 6 | 7-13 |
| Northern Illinois | 1-7 | 7 | 5-15 |
Men's College Basketball News
