Ball State loses easy one to Eastern Michigan

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - It was another Saturday at Worthen Arena where the fighting Cardinals started out great, tied at halftime and then lost 56-50 to Eastern Michigan.

All Ball State Coach Billy Taylor could say was the team looked tired and had a rough day defending the Eagles who had two players in double figures and a second half rush that put Ball State behind and never able to recover with a predictable free throw shootout at the end.

 Some fans and even the hired help at the arena said it was time for a new coach as Ball State hangs around the Mid-American Conference cellar at 10-14 and 4-8.

Actually, Ball State had the game won early with freshman Chase Brogna of Houston making his debut as a starter and scoring two three-point shots which would be his only score of the game.

Taylor has seven freshmen on the roster as guard Jesse Berry is still out with a concussion and is still on a "day to day" watch who might practice next week.

 The Cardinals also had the rebounding of forward Majok Majok with 16 although he scored only six points. Guard Jauwan Scaife led the Cardinals with 21 points but Eastern Michigan had guard J.R. Sims with 18, and forward Glenn Bryant with 20.

 Taylor pointed out failed open shots and that offensive surge by Eastern Michigan in the second half that made his team look tired.

 Eagles Coach Rob Murphy said Berry's absence was huge for his team after Ball State beat Eastern Michigan on their court 60-58 last month.

 And Sims said it was a "must win" for the Eagles if they wanted to stay competitive in the MAC.

 So Ball State continues to play out its MAC season, and head toward the tournament next month, with listings in Saturday's program that also reflected the season's transition with a baseball schedule posted. The Cardinals hit the baseball field at home on March 15.