Ball State's Armoni Zeigler stole the show at McGuirk Arena, leading his team to a nail-biting 68-67 win over Central Michigan. Zeigler's 17 points and 7 rebounds were instrumental in the Cardinals' victory, which saw them overcome a strong performance from Central Michigan's Logan McIntire. McIntire scored 21 points, but it wasn't enough to secure the win for the Chippewas.
The game got off to a blistering start, with Ball State taking a 33-20 lead into halftime. However, Central Michigan refused to back down, with McIntire and Tamario Adley leading the charge in the second half. Adley's 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists made him a formidable force on the court, but the Chippewas' comeback efforts ultimately fell just short.
Despite being predicted to win by 2.8 points by CHD Scout, Central Michigan found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline. The predicted score of 70-70 was also wide of the mark, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm on offense. In the end, it was Ball State's balanced attack that was the difference-maker, with Devon Barnes and Davion Hill chipping in with 17 and 15 points, respectively.
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Final
The win is a significant boost to Ball State's resume, particularly given that it came on the road. However, it's worth noting that this was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams, which may limit its impact on their respective tournament chances. For Central Michigan, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, especially given that it was a Q4 game for them as well. The Chippewas' net ranking of 326 will likely remain relatively unchanged, while Ball State's net ranking of 319 may see a slight improvement.
As the season wears on, both teams want to build on this performance and make a push for a stronger finish. For Ball State, the win is a confidence-booster, and they want to carry this momentum into their upcoming games. For Central Michigan, the loss is a setback, but they will be eager to bounce back and prove themselves against tougher opponents.
In terms of tournament implications, this game is unlikely to have a major impact on either team's chances. However, for Ball State, the win does provide a glimmer of hope that they can compete with teams in the lower echelons of the rankings. As for Central Michigan, they must regroup and focus on winning their remaining games if they hope to make a push for a postseason berth. Ultimately, this game will be remembered as a thrilling finish, with Armoni Zeigler's performance being the deciding factor in Ball State's narrow victory.