For the first time since 2003 Ball State left the court in a game vs. Butler with their heads held high. the Cardinals downed Butler 58-55 in front of a Worthen Arena crowd of 8,412. The crowd is the largest since 2005 when IU visited, topping the 2007 Georgetown, 2008 Purdue and 2009 Butler games. Over 2,300 students were in attendance as well.
Jarrod Jones and Khyle Marshall tied for a game high with 21 points each. The Cardinals opened out to an 8-0 lead, then went on a 10-0 run after Butler crawled within three to make it 21-8. The Cardinals rode Tyler Koch’s strong performance and Jauwan Scaife’s hot hand along with Jones to a 32-24 halftime lead.
Ball State opened the second half on an 8-4 run to take their biggest lead at 40-28. But the Bulldogs, led by Khyle Marshall stormed right back on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 6. Crishawn Hopkins played many more second half minutes, essentially replacing Chase Stigall in the second half. Hopkins layup midway through the second tied the game at 44.
But with all the momentum seemingly in Butler’s hands the Cardinals fed Jarrod Jones, who went 7-7 from the foul line, and the career 67% free throw shooter is currently at 85% on the year. Late in a tie ball game, Jones knocked down a 16 footer on the baseline to give BSU a 56-54 lead with 30 seconds left. The basket marked Jones 6th 20 point game in 8 games this year.
The Cardinals got a stop defensively, but the normally great foul shooter Jauwan Scaife missed both of his free throws. Butler would retaliate with an alley-oop attempt that found an open Andrew Smith. Smith bobbled the ball and missed, and Randy Davis chased down the loose ball. Davis sunk both free throws and put BSU up 58-54 with 4.4 left.
The game had one last plot twist, though. As Nored threw up a 3 with .5 seconds left Tyler Koch fouled Nored. Nored needed to make the first two and get a tip in. It wasn’t meant to be, Nored missed the first two, hit the third, and BSU’s in bound ended the game. Ball State never trailed during the contest.
With the victory the Cardinals improve to 6-2 on the season, and have won their last 6. Butler falls to 4-6, and face Purdue, Gonzaga and Stanford next.
Here are coach Taylor and Stevens after the game:
I stand corrected! Ball State wins in a close battle. I still think you are nuts to think Jones is better than Zeller. Just watch them play, Pat.
Ball State can win the MAC if they continue to improve.
Jones is averaging 20 points a game. Say he can’t do it vs. top teams? He put up 25 vs. a ranked Arizona team. 21 today. Zeller may be better when it’s all said and done, but right now, Jarrods the best big man in the state.
Stats so far:
Jones 20.1ppg 9RPG 85%FT
Zeller 15.5ppg 7.5RPG 75% FT
Both teams have played about the same difficulty of schedule.
Jones is projected an early 2nd round pick, and his stock has gone up steadily.
Don’t let your Big 10 bias hit you too hard. There are plenty of good players on other teams.
The true test is this: if you had to pick between them for your team, who would you take?
You can’t look me straight in the eye and tell me Jones. No way.
And why is it that you can’t have a coherent discussion without bringing up “big ten bias”? I’ve seen both of them play. Zeller’s team is a lot better than Jones’ team, plus Jones is a senior. That’s why he averages more. That doesn’t mean he’s better. I said Ball State is looking good and can win the MAC.
thanks for the vids. not everyday we get ball state coverage, usually left out. the game shouldnt have been as close as it was, but what a finish. coach taylor had to be proud of his boys even in a down yr for the dawgs
I hate to see Butler fall apart this season but it was impressive win at home for Ball State. Good for their students showing up, as they should, against an in-state rival.
The Cards broke it open early and kept after it. The inside matchup was one I was most interested in because Jones is a force. Should dominate MAC play I gotta believe.