Billy Taylor at Muncie Free Press - Delaware County Indiana | News and Information

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Ball State senior guard Jauwan Scaife is playing every game like it is his last and he showed Central Michigan a career high 34 points on Wednesday, proving the Cardinals could not be beat.

 It was no defense, all out shooting that had Ball State in the lead as many as 12 points a couple times in the game and then came down to free throw shooting at the end with a 95-90 win.

 It seemed easy for Ball State to control the ball and have four players in double figures with forward Chris Bond and guard Jesse Berry each scoring 15 and forward Majok Majok adding 10.

 Central Michigan Coach Keno Davis, in his first season, playing four freshman, said it was obvious the Chippewas caught the Cardinals on a good night with everyone playing.

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.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - An incredible performance by Ball State guard Jauwan Scaife scoring a career high 30 points resulted in the Cardinals finally winning at home and upsetting Western Michigan 65-62 Saturday night.

 "Our energy was terrific," said BSU Coach Billy Taylor, obviously delighted that his team finally won a home game and snapped a month long losing streak that sent them to the bottom of the Mid-American Conference.

 Western Michigan Coach Steve Hawkins, whose team was standing atop the MAC's western division, said turnovers and losing composure at the end of the one-possession game caused the Broncos to get beat by the struggling Cardinals.

 "I don't think they caught us off guard," said Hawkins, whose team was a five point favorite on the Vegas line.

Ball State’s Majok Grabs MAC West Player of the Week Honor

By Rick Yencer

Source: BSUSports.com

MUNCIE, IN - Majok Majok's raw talent is beginning to improve as he grabbed 21 points Saturday against Miami and won a Player of the Week award from the Mid-American Conference. It marks the second player-of-the-week award for Majok this season and the fourth for a Ball State player. Teammate Jesse Berry is also a two-time winner.

 Majok, a junior forward, got the West Division nod for averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds in the Miami and Buffalo games. He shot 64.7 percent from the floor and 85.7 percent at the free throw line, a big improvement from recent games.

 Actually, Majok and three other Ball State players got in double figures Saturday to beat Miami 82-62 which was the highest scoring game the Cardinals had yet. And at 2-4 in conference and 8-10 overall, the team is about the average of other MAC teams in the West and East.

 And Majok will compete in the Geico Play of Year competition on CBS April 6 with other talented college stars. He won out from other players nominated the week of Jan. 2 when he slammed dunked a final shot against Norfolk State. That buzzer beater score won Ball State the game.

 On Wednesday, Ball State plays Toledo that is 3-3 in the Mac and 7-10 overall. Their top scorers are Rian Pearson who averages about 18.2 points, and Julius Brown at 13.4 points.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Ball State squandered an early lead with Buffalo and then lost a mostly one possession game 66-63 at the end with poor free throw shooting.

 "This loss hurts us," said BSU Coach Billy Taylor, about both players and coaches.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Back to back road losses and a 1-3 start in the Mid-American Conference should not cause Ball State fans to panic about their basketball team, says BSU Coach Billy Taylor.

 It's been a difficult stretch for the Cardinals losing to Central Michigan 71-57 on Saturday after being ahead by a basket at halftime, and losing a few days earlier to Akron 71-64.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Ball State mens basketball coach Billy Taylor talked about the up and down early season this week before the fighting Cardinals begin Mid-American Conference play on Wednesday.

 "It's an exciting time of year," said Taylor, who saw a 6-6 non-conference season on top of a 15-15 draw last season.

Fighting Cardinals head to Mackey Arena next week

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Ball State basketball continues to improve as forward Majok Majok joined guard Jesse Berry in some recognition as the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week.

 Majok's improved scoring and rebounding with Berry's hot hand at times are needed as the Fighting Cardinals head to Mackey Arena to face the Purdue Boilermakers next week after a trip to the foothills of South Dakota on Saturday.

 BSU Coach Billy Taylor was upbeat with recent wins over exhibition teams like Holy Cross and South Dakota, still knowing the Cardinals have to play much better going into Mackey and beginning MAC play in January. The Cardinals are even at 4-4.

 Taylor was looking forward to play in Mackey with a Purdue team that has been up and down in he early season. The Boilermakers lost to Eastern Michigan last Saturday in a low scoring game 47-44. And the team is 4-5 with Muncie native and Purdue Coach Matt Painter looking for a winning season.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Zach Fields, Ball State senior center, wanted to get his team restarted last week when they slumped in the last few minutes against Cleveland State.

 So he said a few words like former Indiana coach Bobby Knight would yell to get the Hoosiers back in the game.

 That spark did not result in a last minute comeback, and Fields, the vocal leader of the Fighting Cardinals basketball team, is still trying to figure out how to get his teammates to play 40 minutes of ball and win some games.

 The 2-4 Cardinals had little to cheer about during a media gathering on Monday as  their football partners were the news and headed to the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl in St., Peterburg, Fla.

 Basketball Coach Biilly Taylor said he was feeling great, but acknowledged there was lots of work to stop turnovers and get more outside shots for the Cardinals to get back in the game before the Mid-American Conference season starts in January.

 Granted, Ball State played No. 1 Indiana and ranked Butler besides a hot Indiana State team, but still have to play Purdue at Mackey on Dec. 18 and an always fast Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis on Dec. 23.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Ball State University Coach Billy Taylor referred to his first coaching visit to historic  I.U. Assembly Hall on Sunday as the most hostile environment the Cardinals will face this season.

 That 101-53 humiliation at the hands of the No. 1 ranked Hoosiers and their national championship banners is something that Taylor promised to work through with his young basketball team that just got beat  20 points by Indiana State last week.