Massachusetts secured a crucial 79-71 victory over Ball State at the Mullins Center, thanks in large part to a stellar performance from Leonardo Bettiol. The Massachusetts forward scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, leading his team to their 13th win of the season. Bettiol's effort was complemented by 17 points from Marcus Banks Jr. and 14 points from K'Jei Parker, as the trio propelled Massachusetts to a hard-fought win.
The first half saw Massachusetts take a modest 28-25 lead into the break, with Ball State's Davion Hill keeping his team within striking distance. Hill finished the game with 22 points and 7 rebounds, showcasing his ability to score and rebound against a tougher opponent. Despite Hill's best efforts, Ball State was unable to overcome the balanced attack of Massachusetts, which saw three players score in double figures.
In the second half, Massachusetts began to pull away, with Bettiol and Banks Jr. combining for 24 points after the break. Ball State attempted to mount a comeback, with Hill and Armoni Zeigler leading the charge, but Massachusetts's lead proved too great to overcome. Zeigler finished the game with 12 points and 6 assists, but it was not enough to lift Ball State to victory.
The win marks Massachusetts's eighth victory of the season at home, where they have been particularly strong. With the victory, Massachusetts improves to 13-8 on the season, while Ball State falls to 7-13. The loss is a tough one for Ball State, which was looking to build momentum after a recent string of close games.
In terms of tournament implications, this game was always going to be a challenging one for Ball State, given Massachusetts's higher ranking. The loss does little to hurt Ball State's resume, as this was considered a Quad 3 game for them. For Massachusetts, however, the win is a Quad 4 victory, which may not significantly boost their tournament chances but does help to pad their win total.
As the season wears on, Massachusetts want to build on this victory and make a push for a stronger postseason position. With Bettiol and Banks Jr. leading the way, they have the talent and depth to make some noise in their conference. For now, they will take the win and look to carry the momentum into their next game. The victory over Ball State is a solid addition to Massachusetts's resume, and they will hope to use it as a springboard to bigger and better things.