:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48951751/usa-today-8282711.0.jpg)
The Ball State Cardinals make a program-best 18 3-pointers against Eastern Michigan in their huge 115-79 win in Muncie, Indiana. Ball State still looking to clinch a first round bye in the MAC Tournament with two more games left, stays top the West division with a 10-6 conference record while EMU dips to 7-9.
Even with six Cardinals in double-digit scoring, Sean Sellers and Franko House led the way with 26 and 20 points respectively. Sellers was a huge part of the Cardinals' 3-point shooting, going 7-for-11 there with five free throws, including four rebounds. House had 10 rebounds for a double-double, shooting 7-for-8 from inside with six free throws.
Jeremie Tyler also had a good day with 3-for-9 behind the arc, Francis Kiapway with four makes, Ryan Weber and Naiel Smith also chipped in for a pair.
Fouls, free throws and trios -- the Cardinals went on cruise control for the first 20 minutes of the game, going to the locker room at halftime with a 61-41 lead. Not bad for a team that averages 70.1 points per game. Ball State was able to shoot 16 free throws (11 makes) off of 11 EMU fouls, out-rebounding them 24-15. The Cardinals finished with 21 free throw makes off of EMU's 20 personal and five technical fouls.
Last time Ball State scored 60 points in a half against a D1 opponent? 1997 ... Against Eastern Michigan.
— Dakota Crawford TSP (@DakotaCrawford_) February 27, 2016
James Thompson received a pair of technicals in the game which eventually led to him being ejected in the second half. All-around bad day for him and the Eagles. Thompson had 10 points with eight free throws and four rebounds, and two of EMU's top scorers, Ty Toney and Willie Mangum, both finished without a point, both going 0-for-5 from the field.
Raven Lee and Brandon Nazione were really the ones with noteworthy performances. Lee kept the game somewhat promising after the Cardinals got off to a 14-0 start, mostly effective in the first half and finished with 14 points, three assists and two steals. Nazione led EMU in scoring with 22, shooting 4-for-6 from behind the arc, and grabbed five rounds. Aside from Nazione's four 3-point makes, Ethan Alvano had the only other make for the Eagles as they shot 5-for-23 as a team.