Persons, El-Amin help Ball State sweep Toledo 99-71
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Tayler Persons and Ishmael El-Amin scored 18 points apiece and Ball State led the entire game to throw some cold water on red-hot Toledo, sweeping the Rockets 99-71 on Saturday.
Persons opened the game with a layup and Ball State charged out to a 10-0 lead and didn't let Toledo -- which had only lost twice since Jan. 2 -- get closer than four points.
Tahjai Teague added 16 points with 12 rebounds and Zach Gunn made 4 of 5 3-point shots to also score 16 points for Ball State (18-9, 9-5 Mid-American Conference). The Cardinals won the boards 39-35, outscored Toledo 44-24 in the paint and had seven steals, forcing 14 Toledo turnovers while only committing six.
Toledo (19-8, 11-3) had fallen to Ball State on Jan. 30 and, after Saturday's game, is but two games ahead of the Cardinals in the MAC's West Division. Ball State is 6-1 in its last seven games. Toledo is chasing its first regular-season MAC title since the 2013-14 season.
Luke Knapke led the Rockets with 17 points. Tre'Shaun Fletcher added 15 with eight rebounds.
Game Information
- Referees:
- John Yorkovich
- Courtney Green
- Scott Siville
2023-24 Mid-American Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo | 14-4 | - | 20-12 |
| Akron | 13-5 | 1 | 24-11 |
| Ohio | 13-5 | 1 | 20-13 |
| Central Michigan | 12-6 | 2 | 18-14 |
| Bowling Green | 10-8 | 4 | 20-14 |
| Miami (OH) | 9-9 | 5 | 15-17 |
| Western Michigan | 9-9 | 5 | 12-20 |
| Kent State | 8-10 | 6 | 17-17 |
| Ball State | 7-11 | 7 | 15-16 |
| Eastern Michigan | 6-12 | 8 | 13-18 |
| Northern Illinois | 5-13 | 9 | 11-20 |
| Buffalo | 2-16 | 12 | 4-27 |
Men's College Basketball News
