Buffalo Bulls Defeat Ball State Cardinals 85-72
Saturday, January 3, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · Broadview Arena
Buffalo Bulls 85, Ball State Cardinals 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Ball State Cardinals vs Buffalo Bulls?
Buffalo Bulls beat Ball State Cardinals 85-72 at Broadview Arena on January 3, 2026.
Who was favored in Ball State Cardinals vs Buffalo Bulls?
Buffalo Bulls were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -298 (about 75% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the Buffalo Bulls secured an 85-72 victory over the Ball State Cardinals at Broadview Arena. This win marks a continuation of Buffalo's strong performance this season, as they now hold a home record of 13-2 and have won their last three games. The Bulls have been particularly effective at home, boasting a record of 8-2 in their last ten games, with an average of 79.9 points scored and 71.4 points allowed per game. Their recent form includes victories against teams such as Northern Illinois, Penn State Behrend, and Western Michigan, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
On the other hand, the Ball State Cardinals, with a record of 4-10, have struggled this season, particularly in away games where they are 0-4. They have only managed to win two of their last ten games, averaging 67.0 points scored and allowing 67.5 points. Their recent win against Earlham, where they dominated 93-30, was a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging stretch. In their last five games, they recorded an average of 70.0 points scored and 63.4 points allowed, indicating some potential for improvement.
Historically, Buffalo has faced Ball State twice this season, losing both encounters with scores of 66-80 and 76-89. This game was crucial for Buffalo, not only to maintain their momentum but also to turn the tide against a team that had previously bested them. The Bulls' ability to perform well at home has been a significant factor in their success, and they entered this game with a strong home winning probability of 1.0 according to the market.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Bulls favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 145.5. This reflects the general consensus on Buffalo's superior form compared to Ball State's struggles. The odds for the home team to win outright were -298, while the Cardinals were listed at +240.
In terms of player contributions, Buffalo's scoring was highlighted by key plays in the second half, including a series of free throws and crucial dunks that helped maintain their lead. As the game progressed, Buffalo's offensive strategy proved effective, particularly in the second half, where they continued to build on their lead with consistent scoring.
The conditions at Broadview Arena were conducive to a high-scoring affair, and the Bulls took full advantage of their home court. Fans witnessed a blend of strong offensive execution and defensive resilience from Buffalo, which ultimately led to their comfortable victory.
Overall, this game exemplified the disparity in form between the two teams, with Buffalo showcasing their strengths while Ball State continues to seek answers to their struggles. The Bulls' ability to score effectively and defend against their opponents will be crucial as they move forward in the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BUF -6.5 | 145.5 o -110 / u -110 | Ball State Cardinals +240 · Buffalo Bulls -298 |
Leaders
- PointsRyan Sabol22Buffalo Bulls
- AssistsRyan Sabol5Buffalo Bulls
- ReboundsTim Oboh5Buffalo Bulls
- PointsDevon Barnes20Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsMason Jones5Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsDavion Hill6Ball State Cardinals
Recent form
Buffalo Bulls
Last 10: 8-2Streak W379.9 scored · 71.4 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W81-67at Northern Illinois HuskiesDec 31
- W92-63vs Penn State Behrend LionsDec 22
- W88-71at Western Michigan BroncosDec 20
- L70-73at East Carolina PiratesDec 14
- W83-79at UMBC RetrieversDec 9
- L69-77vs St. Bonaventure BonniesDec 6
- W71-53at Canisius Golden GriffinsNov 29
- W73-71at Bucknell BisonNov 26
- W78-70vs VMI KeydetsNov 24
- W94-90vs Vermont CatamountsNov 18
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 2-8Streak W167 scored · 67.5 allowed per game0-4 away
- W93-30vs Earlham QuakersDec 30
- L77-86vs Miami (OH) RedHawksDec 20
- L64-69at Campbell Fighting CamelsDec 14
- L64-68vs South Dakota State JackrabbitsDec 10
- L52-64at Evansville Purple AcesDec 4
- W96-85vs Le Moyne DolphinsNov 30
- L37-55at Lafayette LeopardsNov 29
- L73-80vs Monmouth HawksNov 28
- L52-70at Indiana State SycamoresNov 23
- L62-68vs Little Rock TrojansNov 16
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Ball State Cardinals | Buffalo Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 22-55 | 29-51 |
| Field goal % | 40 | 57 |
| Three-pointers | 9-25 | 10-22 |
| Three-point % | 36 | 45 |
| Free throws | 19-23 | 17-18 |
| Free throw % | 83 | 94 |
| Rebounds | 28 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 15 | 22 |
| Assists | 15 | 19 |
| Steals | 11 | 9 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 34 |
| Fouls | 16 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 24 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 1 | 98 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half34-53Daniel Freitag makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ryan Sabol assists)
- 2nd Half37-53Elmore James IV makes 25-foot three point jumper (Devon Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half37-54Ryan Sabol makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half37-55Ryan Sabol makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half39-55Armoni Zeigler makes layup
- 2nd Half41-55Armoni Zeigler makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half41-58Angelo Brizzi makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ryan Sabol assists)
- 2nd Half42-58Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-60Tim Oboh makes layup
- 2nd Half42-61Tim Oboh makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half42-62Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-63Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-66Angelo Brizzi makes 23-foot three point jumper (Noah Batchelor assists)
- 2nd Half45-66Elmore James IV makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half45-69Ryan Sabol makes 26-foot three point jumper (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half47-69Preston Copeland makes layup (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half47-71Derrick Talton Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half50-71Davion Hill makes 25-foot three point jumper (Elmore James IV assists)
- 2nd Half50-73Daniel Freitag makes 13-foot jumper
- 2nd Half53-73Davion Hill makes 26-foot three point jumper (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half53-75Tim Oboh makes 5-foot dunk
- 2nd Half56-75Devon Barnes makes 23-foot three point jumper (Preston Copeland assists)
- 2nd Half56-76Tim Oboh makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-77Tim Oboh makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-77Devon Barnes makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half60-77Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-79Ryan Sabol makes 14-foot jumper
- 2nd Half63-79Devon Barnes makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half64-79Devon Barnes makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half65-79Jai Anthoni Bearden makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-79Jai Anthoni Bearden makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-80Ryan Sabol makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-81Ryan Sabol makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-81Mason Jones makes layup (Devon Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half69-81Mason Jones makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half70-81Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-83Noah Batchelor makes 4-foot dunk (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half71-83Devon Barnes makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half72-83Devon Barnes makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half72-85Noah Batchelor makes 3-foot dunk (Ryan Sabol assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Buffalo Bulls, below favours Ball State Cardinals.
Venue
- Broadview ArenaBuffalo, NY
- Attendance2485
- OfficialsGeoff Vejsicky, Jourdan Love, Alex Landis
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond
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- Buffalo Bulls at Ball State Cardinals — NCAAFNov 11, 2026
- Buffalo Bulls Defeat Ball State Cardinals 63-53Feb 11, 2026