Massachusetts Minutemen Defeat Ball State Cardinals 79-71
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 3:30 PM ET · Mullins Center
Massachusetts Minutemen 79, Ball State Cardinals 71, 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 Massachusetts Minutemen?
Massachusetts Minutemen beat Ball State Cardinals 79-71 at Mullins Center on January 10, 2026.
Who was favored in Ball State Cardinals vs Massachusetts Minutemen?
Massachusetts Minutemen were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -650 (about 87% implied). The favorite won.
The Massachusetts Minutemen secured a victory against the Ball State Cardinals with a final score of 79-71 at the Mullins Center. This matchup was notable as it showcased two teams with contrasting seasons, with the Minutemen holding a home record of 10-7 compared to the Cardinals' away record of 4-12. The Minutemen were favored to win, with DraftKings listing them at -10.5 on the spread and a money line of -650. The total for the game was set at 147.5.
In terms of recent form, the Minutemen entered the game with a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, although they were on a three-game losing streak. Their scoring average during this stretch was 81.7 points per game, while they allowed 74.1 points. Despite their recent struggles, they had previously shown strong offensive capabilities, highlighted by a high-scoring win against UMass Boston, where they triumphed 91-40. However, their last five games reflected a record of just 1-4, with an average of 81.4 points scored and 75.2 points allowed.
On the other side, the Cardinals have faced significant challenges this season, posting a record of 2-8 in their last ten games and currently on a two-game losing streak. They averaged 68.0 points scored and allowed 69.6 points during this period. Their most recent game was a loss to Eastern Michigan, where they fell 52-74. The Cardinals have struggled particularly on the road, holding an away record of 0-4.
The matchup also had implications for both teams' standings, with the Minutemen needing a win to reverse their recent slide and the Cardinals looking for any momentum to build on this season. The Minutemen's home court advantage at the Mullins Center was evident, as they had a home record of 3-2 in their last five games, while the Cardinals were 0-4 in their last five away games.
In terms of scoring plays, the game featured several key moments in the second half, including a layup by Davion Hill that brought the Cardinals to 66 points, and subsequent free throws by K'Jei Parker that helped the Minutemen maintain their lead. The final moments saw Parker convert two free throws, bringing the score to 79-71, sealing the victory for Massachusetts.
The conditions at the Mullins Center were set for a competitive evening, and the Minutemen's ability to score effectively while managing their defensive lapses proved crucial. As the game progressed, viewers were able to witness the Minutemen's resilience in overcoming their recent form issues, while the Cardinals continued to search for answers to their ongoing struggles.
Overall, this fixture highlighted the challenges faced by both teams, with the Minutemen capitalizing on their home advantage and the Cardinals still in search of a breakthrough as they navigate a difficult season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MASS -10.5 | 147.5 o -110 / u -110 | Ball State Cardinals +470 · Massachusetts Minutemen -650 |
Leaders
- PointsLeonardo Bettiol20Massachusetts Minutemen
- AssistsDanny Carbuccia6Massachusetts Minutemen
- ReboundsDaniel Hankins-Sanford10Massachusetts Minutemen
- PointsDavion Hill22Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsArmoni Zeigler6Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsDavion Hill7Ball State Cardinals
Recent form
Massachusetts Minutemen
Last 10: 6-4Streak L381.7 scored · 74.1 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L83-86at Ohio BobcatsJan 6
- L100-101vs Bowling Green FalconsJan 3
- L74-80at Eastern Michigan EaglesDec 31
- W91-40vs UMass Boston BeaconsDec 22
- L59-69vs Kent State Golden FlashesDec 20
- W103-95at Florida State SeminolesDec 13
- W76-74at Boston College EaglesDec 11
- W80-60vs UMass Lowell River HawksDec 6
- W78-71vs Harvard CrimsonDec 4
- W73-65at Oregon State BeaversNov 24
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 2-8Streak L268 scored · 69.6 allowed per game0-4 away
- L52-74vs Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 7
- L72-85at Buffalo BullsJan 3
- 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
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 | Massachusetts Minutemen |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-56 | 25-52 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 8-23 | 9-24 |
| Three-point % | 35 | 38 |
| Free throws | 13-18 | 20-29 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 69 |
| Rebounds | 28 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 27 |
| Assists | 15 | 19 |
| Steals | 10 | 5 |
| Blocks | 1 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 10 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 26 |
| Fouls | 22 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 3 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 16 | 16 |
| Time in front | 15 | 75 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half38-45Luka Damjanac makes layup (K'Jei Parker assists)
- 2nd Half39-45Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-45Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-47Leonardo Bettiol makes layup (Marcus Banks Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half40-50Isaiah Placide makes 24-foot three point jumper (K'Jei Parker assists)
- 2nd Half41-50Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-50Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half42-53K'Jei Parker makes 24-foot three point jumper (Luka Damjanac assists)
- 2nd Half45-53Devon Barnes makes 24-foot three point jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half45-55K'Jei Parker makes 15-foot jumper (Luka Damjanac assists)
- 2nd Half47-55Preston Copeland makes layup (Devon Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half47-57Daniel Hankins-Sanford makes layup (Danny Carbuccia assists)
- 2nd Half48-57Devon Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-57Devon Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-57Preston Copeland makes layup
- 2nd Half51-58Danny Carbuccia makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-59Daniel Hankins-Sanford makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-60Daniel Hankins-Sanford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-60Preston Copeland makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-61Leonardo Bettiol makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-61Mason Jones makes 23-foot three point jumper (Davion Hill assists)
- 2nd Half55-63Leonardo Bettiol makes 5-foot hook shot (Danny Carbuccia assists)
- 2nd Half55-66Marcus Banks Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Daniel Hankins-Sanford assists)
- 2nd Half58-66Davion Hill makes 27-foot three point jumper (Elmore James IV assists)
- 2nd Half58-69Marcus Banks Jr. makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half59-69Mason Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-69Preston Copeland makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-69Preston Copeland makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-70Danny Carbuccia makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-71Danny Carbuccia makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-71Davion Hill makes 26-foot three point jumper (Devon Barnes assists)
- 2nd Half64-74Marcus Banks Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Leonardo Bettiol assists)
- 2nd Half66-74Davion Hill makes layup
- 2nd Half66-75Marcus Banks Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-75Davion Hill makes 24-foot three point jumper (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half69-76K'Jei Parker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-77K'Jei Parker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-77Armoni Zeigler makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-78K'Jei Parker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-79K'Jei Parker makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Massachusetts Minutemen, below favours Ball State Cardinals.
Venue
- Mullins CenterAmherst, MA
- Attendance4010
- OfficialsJose Carrion, Josh White, Tony Meeks
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