Sports
Ohio Learns the Cardinal Rule
By: Zach Kautz
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In a back and forth affair with runs and defensive stops, the Ohio Bobcats did not have quite enough in the tank to take down the Ball State Cardinals, falling 75-68.
The Bobcats and Cardinals both started off slow from the field. But Ohio strung together a few defensive stops and with both good ball movement and dribble penetration got out to a 16-10 lead with 11:50 remaining in the first half. Mike Laster and Teyvion Kirk led the way for Ohio in the first half and connected on a few plays. Kirk’s dribble penetration really helped set up buckets for Doug Taylor and Kevin Mickle.
The two teams traded points until a jumper by Taylor Persons gave Ball State a 20-18 lead. A layup by Laster tied the game at 20 with under eight minutes to go.
The two teams stayed within three points for the rest of the half. Gavin Block found James Gallon for an open three at the buzzer, giving Ohio a two-point lead at the half.
It was a completely different story in the second half as Ball State outscored Ohio in the second half 46-37 in the half. For Ball State, forward, Trey Moses could not be stopped, scoring nine of his 17 points in the half. Moses also had a game-high11 rebounds. Ohio did not have an answer for both Moses and Teague on the glass. The two combined for 18 rebounds, helping give Ball State a 39-33 edge on the glass.
A layup by Kirk gave Ohio a 43-38 lead. Ball State scored the next 12 points, taking a 50-43 lead. A pair of free throws by Kirk, made it 55-53 deficit. But that is the closest Ohio got. Ball State quickly got their lead back up to seven, where it stayed for the rest of the game.
Ohio bested Ball State from the free throw line, three-point line and forced more turnovers. However, Ohio struggled shooting in the second half. Ohio shot 35 percent in the second half and made just 11 shots. Ball State made five more shots, on their way to shooting 50 percent for the game.
Kirk led the way for Ohio, scoring 17 points, with Laster and Dartis each contributing 13 points. Laster scored 13 points despite shooting only 5-17 from the field.
Ohio looks to bounce back on Friday when they travel to Kent to play the Kent State Golden Flashes in their fourth Mid-American Conference game of the year.