Buffalo Bulls Defeat Ball State Cardinals 63-53
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Worthen Arena
Buffalo Bulls 63, Ball State Cardinals 53, 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 Buffalo Bulls vs Ball State Cardinals?
Buffalo Bulls beat Ball State Cardinals 63-53 at Worthen Arena on February 11, 2026.
Who was favored in Buffalo Bulls vs Ball State Cardinals?
Ball State Cardinals were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -120 (about 55% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup at Worthen Arena, the Buffalo Bulls emerged victorious over the Ball State Cardinals with a final score of 63-53. This game was significant as it marked the second meeting of the season between these two teams, with Buffalo previously defeating Ball State 85-72 on January 3, 2026. The Bulls now hold a 3-1 advantage in their recent head-to-head matchups against the Cardinals, having won two of the last three encounters.
The Cardinals entered this game with an overall record of 8-16, while the Bulls boasted a stronger 15-10 record. Recent form for Ball State showed a mixed bag, with a record of 4-6 over their last ten games and a one-game winning streak. They averaged 65.4 points scored per game while allowing 73.4 points. In their last five games, they recorded an average of 61.2 points scored and 67.6 points allowed. Notably, Ball State had a home record of 2-1 in their last three games, indicating some improvement in familiar surroundings.
Conversely, Buffalo struggled in their recent outings, recording a disappointing 2-8 record over their last ten games and currently on a three-game losing streak. The Bulls averaged 79.0 points scored but also allowed a high average of 83.2 points per game during that stretch. In their last five games, Buffalo scored an average of 75.8 points while allowing 79.0 points. Their away record was particularly troubling, as they had only managed to win 1 of their last 5 games on the road.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide any specific details regarding player availability for either team, which could have impacted their performance on the court. However, the absence of key players can often sway the outcome of such tightly contested games.
The betting market reflected a slight edge for the Cardinals, with DraftKings listing the odds at Ball State -1.5. The total points line was set at 141.5, with over odds at -105.0 and under odds at -115.0. This indicates that the game was expected to be competitive, with both teams capable of scoring but also allowing points.
Weather conditions were not mentioned in the block, but indoor games typically do not face the same environmental factors as outdoor sports, allowing for a consistent playing surface.
As the game unfolded, the Bulls took control in the second half, with key plays that included a 28-foot three-point jumper from Juwan Maxey, which extended Buffalo's lead to 55-51. Derrick Talton Jr. contributed significantly with free throws that pushed the score to 57-51, and a tip-in layup from Tim Oboh further solidified their lead at 59-51. Despite a valiant effort from the Cardinals, who managed a driving layup from Davion Hill to bring the score to 59-53, Buffalo maintained their composure and closed out the game with free throws from Ryan Sabol, finalizing the score at 63-53.
This game highlighted the struggles of both teams, with Buffalo needing to address their defensive issues moving forward, while Ball State will look to build on their recent home form as they continue their season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BALL -1.5 | 141.5 o -105 / u -115 | Buffalo Bulls +100 · Ball State Cardinals -120 |
Leaders
- PointsDavion Hill14Ball State Cardinals
- AssistsArmoni Zeigler3Ball State Cardinals
- ReboundsKayden Fish5Ball State Cardinals
- PointsTim Oboh20Buffalo Bulls
- AssistsRyan Sabol5Buffalo Bulls
- ReboundsTim Oboh8Buffalo Bulls
Recent form
Ball State Cardinals
Last 10: 4-6Streak W165.4 scored · 73.4 allowed per game2-1 at home
- W73-68at UL Monroe WarhawksFeb 7
- L52-77at Bowling Green FalconsFeb 4
- L55-73at Toledo RocketsJan 31
- W58-53vs Northern Illinois HuskiesJan 24
- W68-67at Central Michigan ChippewasJan 21
- W76-71vs Ohio BobcatsJan 17
- L77-87at Akron ZipsJan 14
- L71-79at Massachusetts MinutemenJan 10
- L52-74vs Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 7
- L72-85at Buffalo BullsJan 3
Buffalo Bulls
Last 10: 2-8Streak L379 scored · 83.2 allowed per game1-3 away
- L69-81at South Alabama JaguarsFeb 7
- L71-73vs Miami (OH) RedHawksFeb 3
- L83-95vs Ohio BobcatsJan 31
- W89-78at Bowling Green FalconsJan 28
- L67-68vs Massachusetts MinutemenJan 24
- L63-82vs Akron ZipsJan 20
- L102-105at Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 17
- L81-87vs Kent State Golden FlashesJan 13
- L80-91at Ohio BobcatsJan 10
- W85-72vs Ball State CardinalsJan 3
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 | Buffalo Bulls | Ball State Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 21-48 | 19-54 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 35 |
| Three-pointers | 6-19 | 8-24 |
| Three-point % | 32 | 33 |
| Free throws | 15-17 | 7-9 |
| Free throw % | 88 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 19 |
| Assists | 11 | 12 |
| Steals | 8 | 7 |
| Blocks | 6 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 6 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 20 |
| Fouls | 12 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 3 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 91 | 3 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half24-20Devon Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half25-20Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half26-20Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half26-22Kayden Fish makes layup
- 1st Half28-22Ryan Sabol makes driving layup
- 1st Half30-22Tim Oboh makes 2-foot dunk (Ryan Sabol assists)
- 1st Half30-25Juwan Maxey makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mason Jones assists)
- 1st Half30-27Davion Hill makes driving layup
- 2nd Half32-27Tim Oboh makes layup (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half34-27Tim Oboh makes layup (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half34-30Devon Barnes makes 25-foot three point jumper (Elmore James IV assists)
- 2nd Half36-30Noah Batchelor makes 1-foot dunk (Ryan Sabol assists)
- 2nd Half37-30Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-30Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-32Devon Barnes makes layup
- 2nd Half38-35Devon Barnes makes 26-foot three point jumper (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half40-35Tim Oboh makes 2-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half43-35Angelo Brizzi makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half43-37Davion Hill makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half44-37Tim Oboh makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-37Tim Oboh makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half45-38Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-39Armoni Zeigler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-39Ryan Sabol makes 22-foot three point jumper (Angelo Brizzi assists)
- 2nd Half48-41Juwan Maxey makes driving layup (Armoni Zeigler assists)
- 2nd Half50-41Ryan Sabol makes 6-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half50-43Kayden Fish makes layup (Juwan Maxey assists)
- 2nd Half50-44Kayden Fish makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half50-46Davion Hill makes layup
- 2nd Half53-46Noah Batchelor makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ezra McKenna assists)
- 2nd Half55-46Ezra McKenna makes layup (Ryan Sabol assists)
- 2nd Half55-48Davion Hill makes layup (Mason Jones assists)
- 2nd Half55-51Juwan Maxey makes 28-foot three point jumper (Elmore James IV assists)
- 2nd Half56-51Derrick Talton Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-51Derrick Talton Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-51Tim Oboh makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half59-53Davion Hill makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-53Derrick Talton Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half62-53Ryan Sabol makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-53Ryan Sabol makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Ball State Cardinals, below favours Buffalo Bulls.
Venue
- Worthen ArenaMuncie, IN
- Attendance2460
- OfficialsAlfred Smith, John Floyd, Ian Caldwell
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- 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
Picks for NCAAB
NCAAB rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Buffalo Bulls at Ball State Cardinals — NCAAFNov 11, 2026
- Buffalo Bulls Defeat Ball State Cardinals 85-72Jan 3, 2026